Well here it is the regulation on your Saftey Equipment. Have a look at subsection(3)
Cheers Dave.
[s 41]
Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004
Reprint 3B effective 17 August 2009 Page 39
Division 8 Expiry date for safety equipment
41 Expiry date for particular safety equipment
(1) This section applies if a ship is equipped with any of the
following safety equipment for this part—
(a) an EPIRB;
(b) a fire extinguisher;
(c) flares;
(d) a life raft that is inflatable;
(e) a PFD type 1, 2 or 3 that is inflatable;
(f) smoke signals.
(2) The safety equipment mentioned in subsection (1) must show
a legible expiry date (however described) for the equipment.
(3) The equipment must be serviced by the manufacturer or the
manufacturer’s authorised service agent, or be replaced,
before the expiry date.
(4) If there is a failure to comply with subsection (2) or (3), the
ship is taken not to be equipped with the safety equipment.
Transport Operations (Marine Safety)Regulation 2004
State of Queensland
www.legislation.qld.gov.au