(4)Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, where a proceeding for obtaining a decree or order for maintenance is started against a person subject to naval law,—(a)the court may send the process for service on that person to the commanding officer of the ship on which such person is serving or on the books of which he is borne; or(b)if, by reason of the ship being at sea or otherwise, it is impracticable for the court to send the process to the commanding officer, the Court may, after not less than three weeks‟ notice to the Central Government, send it to a Secretary to that Government for transmission to the commanding officer for service on that person:Provided that such service shall not be valid unless there is sent along with the process such sum of money as may be prescribed to enable that person to attend the hearing of the proceeding and to return to his ship or quarters after such attendance.
