(a) Each lifeboat, rescue boat, rigid liferaft, buoyant apparatus, and life float must be stripped, cleaned, and thoroughly inspected and repaired as needed at least once a year. This procedure includes emptying and cleaning each fuel tank and refilling it with fresh fuel.

(b) Each davit, winch, fall, and other launching-appliance must be thoroughly inspected at least once a year, and repaired as needed.

(c) Each item of survival equipment with an expiration date must be replaced during the annual inspection and repair if this date has passed.

(d) Each battery used in an item of survival equipment and clearly marked with an expiration date must be replaced during the annual inspection and repair if this date has passed.

(e) Except a storage battery used in a lifeboat or in a rescue boat, each battery used in an item of survival equipment and not clearly marked with an expiration date must be replaced during the annual inspection and repair.

(f) Compliance with the requirements of this section does not relieve the master or person in charge of the duty of compliance with requirements in §131.540(a) of this subpart to keep the equipment ready for immediate use when the vessel is under way.