Fuel containers on Spirit of Tasmania

allinone · Senior Member

Fuel containers on Spirit of Tasmania

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Yes they must be emptied and filled with water.
That is no problem, just empty the water well then rinse with some petrol or metho (cup or 2) at the other end.
Don't know the rules re generators, probably no problem I think, like your car fuel tank.

Cheers,
Peter

Golddetectornomad · Senior Member

G'day members, sounds like more inconsistancies than consistancy in above comments/decisions.. Full petrol generators O.K., but not a sealed diesel Gerry can. Gas cylinders in RVs O.K. but not individual gas cylinder or gas canisters. Filling a diesel Gerry with water or leaving the rubber seal exposed to the sun to dry it out do not sound ideal situations especially as diesel does not appear to evaporate like petrol.. given all these items are normally carried by RV's.. do they carry out inspections of your vehicle and Caravan like fruit fly inspectors?...can we take our small pooch/person across and any more rules we should be aware of if we can....I'm already thinking we should head North and give South a miss..and perhaps just remain in Australia...Lol.....Hoo Roo.

-- Edited by Golddetectornomad on Tuesday 1st of January 2013 10:27:59 AM

Loki · Senior Member

I crossed in Nov with a 20L petrol container: It hadn't been filled recently and I would set it in the sun with the lid off to evaporate the petrol. The inspector had a sniff and didn't require me to fill it with water. Peters comments above re using petrol or metho to clean them after the water is emptied iis a good solution.

Portable gas canisters (and some loose gas bottles, spray cans with volatile contents such as ether, etc) must be removed and transported across in the Spirits special locker, to be collected at the other end.

yeoeleven · Guru

I had no trouble taking across a 20 ltr jerry can that has recently been filled with petrol, I emptied it 2 days before and left the seal open to evaporate. I certainly did not fill it with water. The generator was full but not considered a problem.

John

Sue - Steve Gazel · Veteran Member

Hi all, yes we did the same, just leave it in the sun for a few days till the smell went. We also had a small gas bottle, just checked that in, you get a ticket and then pick it up on your way off. This time of year Tassie will be great, very jealous, hope you have a fantastic time.

Sue & Steve smile

allinone · Senior Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Yes they must be emptied and filled with water.
That is no problem, just empty the water well then rinse with some petrol or metho (cup or 2) at the other end.
Don't know the rules re generators, probably no problem I think, like your car fuel tank.

Cheers,
Peter

Thanks to all for these excellent tips and will certainly use the air method.

But Peter can you advise where the water or rinsed solution should be disposed in case I must use this one.

Thanks

Pam · Guru

There is stacks of info on the Spirit of Tasmania site to answer all questions.

allinone · Senior Member

Pam wrote:
There is stacks of info on the Spirit of Tasmania site to answer all questions.

Hi Pam

the Spirit of Tasmania policy link here: (http://www.spiritoftasmania.com.au/about/terms-and-conditions/carriage-of-dangerous-goods-policy.html) does not address my question. Is there some other link to look for practible information rather than rules?

There have been some very good answers from practible travellers and any more knowledge can only help with the planning process.

jayem · Member

Hi, we are also travelling in January and checked the spirit site today. Our query related to the fuel container used for our diesel heater. The way we look at it, no issue as the container is fastened down and contains fuel.

It would appear issues may arise with empty containers. Would you get around the issue by filling the containers and making sure they are securely fastened?

Gerty Dancer · Guru

With gas bottles, if they arent secured in your caravan/motorhome etc, they are collected and returned to their owners after the ship docks. What do they do with fuel containers I wonder?

Sue - Steve Gazel · Veteran Member

We had an empty jerry can in the front boot of the caravan ( for petrol) I was asked if it was full or not, it wasn't and told him that I had aired it, he just said ok. Had a generator in the back of the car, no mention of fuel in it, but they did do a very thourough check of car and van, including fridge for vegies and fruit??. One poor sole they had him off loading everything out of his van, not sure if he was concealing something but they were making sure. Yes there web site has all the details on what you can and cannot take.

Sue & Steve

Big Gorilla · Guru

I cross on the Spirit regularly. Always have an empty can. Never been asked to put water in it...

blaze · Guru

only time I have ever seen any one being made to put water in a jerry can is when they turned up with aa full one, they emptied into any ones car that would take fuel and then had to fill with water. I have done heaps of crossings, all with empty clean containers and never had a problem. Atitude is your biggest compliant problem because they can make it hard if you want them too.
cheers
blaze
ps the rules and regs are on the website and straight foward

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We crossed in November - had no fuel in the jerry can - but did have fuel in generator. Gas bottles attached to vehicle with hoses etc., ok - but spare ones must be surrendered, full or not - they give you a receipt and you pick them up on the way off the boat, after inspection.

I think it depends on the inspectors that are on the day you come off the boat - we had very cursory inspection - just stood at the door of the motor home, asked me to open the bathroom door, and the fridge - asked if we had anything to declare, handed her a bag of banana peel from those we had eaten on the way over - no problem, but have hear of sniffer dogs that are trained to sniff out fruit or vegetables - - we didn't see them. In the info on the "spirit" site, they say not to bring honey over - but some people have, and had no problem. As I say, maybe it depends on who is on duty on the day.

Tassy is great - look for posting of our trip on Yeoeleven's postings - or go to his blog (you can find a link on the bottom of his posts) he has great descriptions and photos!!!

We have just done the walk up to the lookout at Wineglass Bay - beautiful - perfectly sunny day, and are now camped in a free camp called "Rocks and Rivers" - about 9k out of Coles Bay - not a huge area, but nicely placed. Rangers just came around and told us it is a fire ban from midnight tonight - gonna be a hot one tomorrow - probably get to 28 degrees!!!!!!
Seriously, the weather here is erratic - mostly a bit cool for us Queenslanders - but we are coping!!!

RosieW · Guru

No fuel at all in jerry cans, most don't care if there are fumes. So long as it is empty. If it permanently attached, or in a genny, all good.

Pets travel in kennels on board, I think it's $20-$30 each way.

Fruit and veg - you can take it on in Melbourne - they will ask if you have any, and may search, but they can't take it off you. In Tassie, once you unload they will confiscate all fruit and veg.