Dangerous Goods Information for the General Public and Non-Commercial Operators

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Introduction

Dangerous Goods

What do paint, laundry, bleach, propane, car batteries, gasoline and hay have in common?

Firstly, they are all commonly used products and secondly, by their nature, if they are not handled with care, they can be hazardous to our health and the environment.  Because of the added hazard, these are classified as being dangerous goods, and extra care is required with transporting them.

There are more than 3600 dangerous goods listed in the transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, and the regulations that govern them are quite complex.  In the hope of simplifying the process, we have provided a few brief notes concerning the most commonly encountered products.

If you are planning to travel with us and have dangerous goods to carry, this will give you some initial guidance. If your particular product is not listed, feel free to call your nearest terminal and ask for help. We are at your service.

For products not listed in this brochure, please call the terminal of departure for information.

For those travelling on our northern routes, the Port of Prince Rupert imposes certain special regulations. Please contact our Prince Rupert terminal for further information at least 24 hours prior to departure.

Remember, all dangerous goods must be declared at the terminal ticket booth or to a vessel officer. Failure to declare dangerous goods is an offence under Canadian law.

• Vehicle must be at the terminal of departure
  • 45 minutes prior to sailing time at Major Terminals, and
    
    
  • 30 minutes prior to sailing time at Minor Terminals
    
    
• Driver of the vehicle must declare all dangerous goods prior to purchase of ticket
  
  
• Northern Terminals: Prince Rupert, Port Hardy, Skidegate — customers are required to check with the terminal for specific time-limits, due to the unique reservation requirements in that area.
  
  

Some dangerous goods items are permitted without documentation in limited quantities. A listing of some commonly carried items is provided below. However, all full or partially full Scuba tanks do require documentation.

• Driver must present a Dangerous Goods Shipping Document for inspection.  All relevant dangerous goods information i.e. UN number, shipping name, etc. must be included.
  
  
  • A generic Dangerous Goods Shipping Document is available here for those shippers who do not have one — please click here to download.
  
  

• For all inquiries about the transportation of dangerous goods, contact the Terminal Manager at the terminal of departure — click here for a list of terminal phone numbers.
  
  
• If the above information does not answer your concerns and you have difficulty reaching the terminals, please email your concerns to us to DG.BCF@BCFerries.com. and we will respond to you as soon as we can.
  
  
• You can also phone our head office at 250-978-1152, or send a fax to 250-388-9599.

Definitions of Terms Related to Dangerous Goods

Empty Container: Although they may be "empty", drums, tanks or other containers which once held dangerous goods (usually flammable liquids) are still considered hazardous and are subject to regulation. They cannot be carried on our ships until they have been cleaned and certified as being purged of all residue so that no danger remains.

Flash Point: The temperature at which a liquid gives off vapour sufficient to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid is known as "flash point". At BC Ferries, we carry certain flammable products and it is essential that we know what their flash points are.

MSDS: A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is the information bulletin required to be prepared by every manufacturer of every product. In addition to identifying the technical properties and characteristics of a product, it contains safety, first aid and emergency response data.

Tidy Tank: This is a trade name for what the regulations call a "small container" with a capacity of not more than 450 litres (90 gallons). It is designed to fit in the back of a pick-up or other small truck, and is usually used to transport fuel for either its own use or for other equipment. Depending on the type of fuel carried, Tidy Tanks may or may not be permitted. See Diesel Fuel or Gasoline in the list below for details.

Dangerous Goods Commonly Encountered by
BC Ferries

Aerosols: Generally, these can be carried on our ferries, provided they are not larger than one litre in size (some exceptions apply).

Automotive Antifreeze: This is not considered to be dangerous, therefore it is not regulated and can be carried in any amount.

Auxiliary Fuel Tanks: Not to be confused with spare gas tanks, (see "Gasoline"), auxiliary fuel tanks that form an integral part of the vehicle, connected by a fuel line to the engine fuel system, and firmly secured and protected from external damage, are permitted.

Adhesives: Adhesive products containing flammable liquid, such as Contact Cement, have special requirements. Customers should check with local terminal staff for information on acceptable quantities.

Air Bottles, Scuba Tanks: 

All full or partially full tanks require a dangerous goods shipping document.

• Partial or full tanks are to be transported in closed, locked vehicles, or in open vehicles, provided the tanks are out of sight.

Foot passengers may take these tanks aboard, provided the tanks are NOT taken into passenger areas but taken immediately to the main vehicle deck for stowage during the voyage.

• The vessel's officer will identify to foot passengers a safe stowage area on the vessel.
  
   
• These tanks are not considered as baggage and our employees are not permitted to handle them or to transport them in our baggage vans. 

EMPTY tanks last containing air are not considered dangerous goods under the TDG Regulations, provided the valves are open and not under pressure. 

Ammunition: Small quantities of cartridges for small arms, rifles and shotguns are permitted on our ferries, provided they are securely packaged and are carried separately from the weapon. (See also "Firearms".)

Batteries, Automotive: In addition to the battery needed for the operation of a vehicle, new batteries, and up to three used batteries, are permitted.

BC Ferries Baggage Vans: No dangerous goods of any kind will be carried in BC Ferries baggage vans. This includes all gas or propane tanks, outboard motors with attached tanks, chainsaws, scuba tanks, etc.

Boat/RV Gas: See "Gasoline" for the amounts of gas which can be carried in spare tanks.

Coleman's Fuel, Naphtha, White Gas: These products are used to fill camp stoves and lanterns and have special conditions attached to their carriage.  Passenger vehicles are permitted 5 litre metal containers.  Foot passengers are prohibited from carrying this product as part of their baggage.

Cleansers: Bleach and other household cleansers may be carried on our ferries. In order to avoid harmful fumes which may result if the motion of the vessel causes them to spill, they must be in a carton designed to keep them upright and secure.

Diesel Fuel: Diesel fuel is permitted. Please call your nearest BC Ferries terminal for details.

Firearms: Firearms may be transported under the following conditions:

Firearms must be transported in compliance with Canadian Firearms Regulations. Firearms transported in vehicles must be unloaded, must not be visible from outside the vehicle and the vehicle must be locked at all times when unattended.

Foot passengers may transport firearms on board BC Ferries vessels provided the firearm is contained in an appropriate case or container and remains in the immediate care, custody and control of the owner, and is otherwise transported in compliance with the law. Foot passengers travelling on BC Ferries' northern routes between Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, mid-Coast ports and the Queen Charlotte Islands must report to the ship's officer once on board and are responsible for securing the firearm in a locker designated by the ship's officer. Passengers are not otherwise permitted to have firearms in their possession on board northern vessels.

Fire Extinguishers: These can be carried on our ships if they are firmly packaged or secured to prevent them from moving.

Fireworks: Certain fireworks are permitted on passenger vessels as long as they are in Class 1.4S, and are packaged in their original manufacturer's packaging. Open packages of fireworks are prohibited.

Foot Passenger Carry-On Commodities: Provided the deck officer gives his authority and a suitable storage area is available on the car deck, passengers may carry outboard motors, chain saws, etc. onto the car deck only. This type of equipment is not permitted in passenger areas.

A foot passenger may carry not more than one cylinder of Propane not exceeding 15 kg (30 litres). The cylinder will not be transported as baggage, but must be carried aboard by the customer and must be stowed on the car deck in a location designated by the vessel's officer.

Gasoline: Approved spare containers of gasoline are permitted on our ferries, but only in limited amounts. The containers cannot exceed 25L.

• RVs/vehicles may carry one spare container,
• a boat towed behind a vehicle may carry two, and
• a vehicle carrying a boat on top, may carry only one spare container.
• Foot passengers are not allowed to carry gasoline on board.

Hand Baggage: Dangerous goods are prohibited as foot passenger hand baggage at all times.

Methanol: The carriage of methanol in the fuel tank of a racecar is permitted up to a maximum of 25 litres. Not more than two spare containers with not more than 25 litres in each are also permitted. Spare containers must be completely secured and labelled.

Oxygen: Personal medical oxygen is permitted but cylinders may not exceed five litre water capacity. Cylinders that are not in a portable unit must be secured within the transport vehicle. The transfer of liquid oxygen from the "liberator" or bulk container to the "stroller" or portable container, on board the vessel, is prohibited. Customers must notify terminal staff if they are carrying personal medical oxygen.

Paint & Paint Related Products: Latex paint is not regulated and is permitted in any quantity. Oil based products, including paint, lacquer, enamel, stain, shellac, varnish, polish, liquid filler and liquid lacquer base, as well as paint thinners or reducing compounds, are restricted to a maximum of five 18-litre metal containers for personal use, and must have been obtained through a public retail outlet.

Propane: Propane valves must be closed and sealed with the tags issued at the ticket booth, and the cylinders must be upright and firmly secured, to prevent tipping.

• Service repair vehicles may carry one 25kg cylinder.
• RVs are permitted a maximum of two cylinders of not more than 25 kg each (50L water capacity each), provided they are connected to a regulator, and secured in or on the vehicle. Recreational vehicles may carry a third cylinder no larger than 15 kg (30L water capacity) for BBQ needs.
• Passenger vehicles are permitted to carry one cylinder not to exceed 15kg.

Wheelchairs (motorized): There are no restrictions on wheelchairs when they are in use, but when they are carried as cargo or freight there are some precautions that must be taken. The battery must be securely in place, disconnected, with the terminals insulated to prevent short-circuiting, and the chair itself must be securely anchored so that it will not move.

Commercial operators and shippers: please click here for additional information on transporting Dangerous Cargo.