Spirit of Tasmania - restrictions

Mike & Helen

Been to Tassie many times. Always good to check current rules. On there site they say the following:

Q. Can I take gas bottles or hazardous liquids on board?

A. Gas bottles are permitted on board. However, if they are not connected to a motorhome or campervan, they must be declared at check-in. They will be placed on a trolley for the voyage. You will be issued with a receipt, which must be handed in on arrival when collecting the gas bottle. Gas bottles do not need to be emptied.

For conditions relating to the carriage of hazardous liquids including cleaning spirits, please refer to our Carriage of Dangerous Goods Policy.

BTW, dont forget that you cant take fruit & veg (as well as other items) into Tassie.

Laurie

1. Gas cylinders (e.g 9kg) mounted on a caravan: we understand from the carrier's web site that these can remain in place, provided that they are disconnected from the caravan's plumbing for the voyage duration, have effective shut-off valves and meet usual compliance specs. However, some people believe these cylinders will need to be removed from the caravan and carried separately on the ship, to be collected at the end of the voyage. Which is correct?

The web site says "isolated". Ours were left connected in situ. In fact they were not even checked. The spare loose gas bottle and canisters were transported in a special trailer.

2. Fuel jerrycans: must be empty and dry of fuel, or filled with water. If they even smell of fuel (i.e. have been used recently), must they be filled with water?

The van in front of us had their jerry "sniffed" with a probe. Don't know about fumes.

3. Fuel in generators is OK. Is this true?

No. Same as jerrys.

4. More a quarantine question than a transit one: we carry assorted timber offcuts in the caravan boot for all those odd uses - such as placing under axle stands, the jockey wheel, or for placing under the wheels to level a parked caravan. Does Tassie quarantine need to inspect and/or confiscate these?

Only fresh fruit and vegetables.

If you have ang questions either go to the web site or ring them. I rang to inquire about fuel in genny. They are very helpful.

HI Mike/Helen
We took our van over a couple years ago ,just turned off the gas bottles on the van, if the Jerry cans have been used for diesel there might be any problem, the generator just empty the tank, we did not take J/cans as there is plenty of fuel places,we did not have any problems with our wood planks .
There is an issue with the:::::::::::::: pine tree you are not allowed to bring back
sorry can't think of name at present.
You still have issue's with quarantine fruit veggies ect.
Cheers reggy2

Hi Mike and Helen

1. Gas cylinders (e.g 9kg) mounted on a caravan: we understand from the carrier's web site that these can remain in place, provided that they are disconnected from the caravan's plumbing for the voyage duration, have effective shut-off valves and meet usual compliance specs. However, some people believe these cylinders will need to be removed from the caravan and carried separately on the ship, to be collected at the end of the voyage. Which is correct?

So long as they are CONNECTED (as normal) and shut off, and are in date code they are fine. Loose cylinders are taken and transported separately. We chose to leave our camping stove at home to avoid delays waiting to recover a gas cylinder.

2. Fuel jerry cans: must be empty and dry of fuel, or filled with water. If they even smell of fuel (i.e. have been used recently), must they be filled with water?

If they have been used - fill with water. We did this for one and the other was new and unused so OK dry.

3. Fuel in generators is OK. Is this true?

As empty as practical - but of course not filled with water :O

4. More a quarantine question than a transit one: we carry assorted timber offcuts in the caravan boot for all those odd uses - such as placing under axle stands, the jockey wheel, or for placing under the wheels to level a parked caravan. Does Tassie quarantine need to inspect and/or confiscate these?

Either leave at home or declare at quarantine inspection and be prepared to lose them. As Australia has strict quarantine on entry to the country to keep out wood borers and the like, probably OK.Check out Tasmanian quarantine requirements here: What can you bring into Tasmania?

For links to the useful sections on the Spirit of Tasmania website, I have got this together as their search does not help (and i have made them aware of the frailties of their search):Spirit of Tasmania

Have a fabulous trip; Tasmania is wonderful and the locals so friendly and welcoming to visitors.

Motherhen

One thing that has'nt been mentioned is the vehicle has to be free of mud/loose dirt etc.

When we went over a couple of years ago, two 4WD's in front of us had to pull over to the side after leaving the ferry and hose off dirt and mud from underneath. It was a day crossing and dark by the time we arrived, they were not impressed, but should have cleaned the vehicles before boarding.

We took our camper trailer last year and found they do a very thorough inspection of your vehicle and van! We did not take our jerry cans because there are not that many isolated and long drives. Spent 2 months travelling and never needed extra fuel.
Had two external gas bottles on the camper, one piped in. Both were allowed to stay, both were full, however saw others taking only their spare bottle off, but it was not a big issue, they just picked it up when arrived on the island. Was asked how much fuel in our generator and I said just a little and that was OK. Had a tool box on the top of our cruiser, carries chainsaw, oil, spares etc, but they did not look in it, just asked what was in it. (After we got off I realised I had a 5 litre fuel container in it and it was full!)
Remember, you cannot get access to your vehicle once the ship is under way.

Last time I went over preserved meats were also confiscated.

The mud is unwelcome there because it can carry cinnamon fungus.

Clean wood, even green wood, no trouble. Folk bring back bootloads of Huon Pine, Tassie Myrtle, Blackwood, Sassafras etc.

I can't see any need for taking jerry cans unless you needed them for your trip on the mainland. If you drive more than 100 kms without seeing a servo I would be very surprised.

went on ferry about 6 years ago .just before the ship arrived in devenport was looking at the stern deck where the trailer was that was holding all the loose gas bottles and here was the deckhand leaning on the trailer merrily smoking his head off.maybe they have never heard of worksafe on the ship.after this went and opened a stubbie in case it was the last before the big bang bye barry