Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)RegulationsDistressed Seamen's Regulations, 19618. Obligation of Masters of South African Ships to Convey Distressed Seamen |
| (1) | The master of every South African ship, to whatever port it may be bound shall receive on board his ship and afford a passage and maintenance to all distressed seamen whom he is required by a proper officer to take on board his ship, and the master shall during the passage provide every such distressed seaman with accommodation equal to that normally provided for the crew of the ship and subsistence proper to the rank or rating of the distressed seaman. |
| (2) | Every distressed seaman who is taken on board, shall so long as he remains in the ship be deemed to belong to the ship and shall be subject to the same laws and regulations for preserving discipline as if he were a member of the crew and had signed the agreement with the crew. |
| (3) | Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) the master shall not be required to receive a distressed seaman on board his ship if the proper officer is satisfied that accommodation is not and cannot be made available for such seaman. |