| (1) | A distressed seaman may be sent to a proper return port by any reasonable route either by sea, air or land or partly by sea, partly by air and partly by land, and in deciding the route and the proper return port, the convenience of the seaman shall be taken into consideration and the expenses involved shall be the lowest reasonably possible in the circumstances. In sending a distressed seaman to a proper return port by means other than by sea, the prior authority of the Secretary, shall be obtained if time permits: Provided that this authority shall not be necessary if a seaman is sent by land or air from the port where he is in distress to a neighbouring port where a ship is immediately available for repatriation purposes. |
