211.—(1) If a seaman or apprentice whilst on board ship states to the master of the ship his desire to make a complaint to a justice of the peace, British consular officer, or officer in command of one of Her Majesty’s ships, against the master or any of the crew, the master shall, so soon as the service of the ship will permit,—

(a) if the ship is then at a place where there is such a justice or officer as aforesaid, after such statement, and

(b) if the ship is not then at such a place, after her first arrival at such a place,

allow the complainant to go ashore or send him ashore in proper custody, or, in the case of complaint to a naval officer, to the ship of such officer, so that he may be enabled to make his complaint.

(2) If the master of a ship fails without reasonable cause to comply with this section, he shall for each offence be liable to a fine not exceeding ten pounds.