247.—(1) It shall be the general business of superintendents of mercantile marine offices (in this Act referred to as superintendents)—

to afford facilities for engaging seamen by keeping registries of their names and characters:

to superintend and facilitate the engagement and discharge of seamen in manner in this Act provided:

to provide means for securing the presence on board at the proper times of the seamen who are so engaged:

to facilitate the making of apprenticeships to the sea service: and

to perform such other duties relating to seamen, apprentices, and merchant ships as are by or in pursuance of this Act, or any Act relating to merchant shipping, committed to them.

(2) Any act done by to or before a deputy duly appointed shall have the same effect as if done by to or before a superintendent.