127.—(1) When a seaman serving in a British foreign-going ship, whether registered within or without the United Kingdom, is on the termination of his engagement discharged in the United Kingdom, he shall, whether the agreement with the crew be an agreement for the voyage or a running agreement, be discharged in manner provided by this Act in the presence of a superintendent.

(2) If the master or owner of a ship acts in contravention of this section, he shall for each offence be liable to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.

(3) If the master or owner of a home trade ship so desire, the seamen of that ship may be discharged in the same manner as seamen discharged from a foreign-going ship.