229.—(1) In every case of desertion from a ship in any port abroad the master shall produce the entry of the desertion in the official log-book to the person by this Act authorised to grant certificates for leaving seamen behind abroad; and that person shall thereupon make and certify a copy of the entry.

(2) The copy shall be forthwith transmitted to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen in England by the person by whom the copy is made and certified, if he is a public functionary, and if he is not, by the master, and shall be admissible in evidence in manner provided by this Act.