(b)if he neglects or refuses, without reasonable cause, to join his mechanically propelled vessel or to proceed on any voyage in his vessel or is absent without leave at any time within twenty-four hours of the vessel sailing from a port or ghat either at the commencement or during the progress of a voyage or is absent at any time without leave and without sufficient reason from his vessel or from his duty, he shall, if offence does not amount to desertion or is not treated as such by the master, be guilty of the offence of absence without leave and be liable forfeit out of his wages a sum not exceeding two days' pay and in addition for every twenty-four hours of absence either a sum not exceeding six days' pay or any expenses properly incurred in hiring a substitute and also to imprisonment which may extend to two months.
