Q.What is the purpose of annual surveys on ships ?

We all know that most of the lifeboats of titanic were lowered with half the lifeboat capacity. Do you know why?

Because people thought the lifeboats would break if it is filled to its capacity. 

What can be done to have our confidence in our equipments and the ship? If we are sure that our equipments would work as desired, we will have the confidence to use these to its capacities.

All the statutory surveys (annual, intermediate and renewal surveys) ensures that the ship's equipments work as desired.

IMO conventions define the scope of these surveys (including annual surveys).