The Icelandic Transport Authority wants to emphasise, to prevent misunderstanding, that safety equipment of ships (such as liferafts, release mechanisms - pressure-membranes, distress flares, etc.) shall always be inspected, tested or renewed when the period of validity of the equipment expires. An example is that liferafts shall be inspected every 12 months by an authorised service provider. These inspections are independent of other surveys of the ship.

Owners and operators must be aware that, despite the changes in the arrangements for ship surveys (such as equipment survey, machinery and electrical survey, bottom survey, etc.), no changes have been made regarding when safety equipment must be tested, inspected or renewed.

Setting out to sea with expired or unchecked safety equipment may be subject to penalties.