If a seaman or apprentice states to the master that he desires to make a complaint to [a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate, as the case may be,] or other proper officer against the master or any of the crew, the master shall,-(a)if the ship is then at a place where there is [a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate, as the case may be,] [ Substituted by Act 12 of 1983, Section 17 and Schedule, for " a Magistrate" (w.e.f. 18.5.1983).] or other proper officer, as soon after such statement as the service of the ship will permit, and(b)if the ship is not then at such place, as soon after her first arrival at such place as the service of the ship will permit, allow the complainant to go ashore or send him ashore under proper protection so that he may be enabled to make the complaint.
