Confirmation has been received that following pressure from the RYA, the Westerly Owners’ Association, the Cruising Association, and the wider recreational boating community, Calor has reversed its decision to withdraw the supply of 3.9kg and 4.5kg bottles.
Last February, the announcement sparked concern from some recreational boaters whose boats relied on the smaller cylinders for propulsion and heat. The Boat Safety Scheme also raised safety issues over the possibility of users illegally re-filling the cylinders or placing larger, ill-fitting alternatives in gas lockers.
Calor has now confirmed to the RYA that it will continue to supply and refill 3.9kg propane and 4.5kg butane cylinders* and will not be phasing them out of circulation as announced last year. The fuel supplier has said that the change in the decision has been due to recent modernisation at their filling plants and cylinder refurbishment facilities. However, due to limited supplies they can currently only exchange cylinders on a one-for-one basis and are unable to swap large cylinders for smaller sizes or issue new cylinders.
Carol Paddison, RYA Interim Cruising Manager, said: “We are delighted that Calor has listened to our concerns and those of the wider recreational boating community. Although reinstating the 3.9kg and 4.5kg bottles fully will take time, doing so recognises the impact that the withdrawal of the bottles would have had on many recreational boaters.
“The RYA would like to thank Calor for acting on the feedback of its customers and other representative groups, in particular the Westerly Owners’ Association, for their proactive work which has directly contributed to this result.”
*At the time of writing, this decision is not yet reflected on the Calor website.
