Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 155

155. (1) If a seaman or ap prentice whilst on board states to the master of the ship his desire to make a complaint to the shippi ng master, or to an appropriate inspector, or to a Maltese consula r officer, against the master or any of the crew, the master shal l, so soon as the service of t he ship will permit - (a) if the ship is at a place wh ere there is any such person as aforesaid to whom the complaint is to be made, after such statement; and (b) if the ship is not then at such place, after her first arrival at such a place, allow the complainant to go ashor e or send him ashore in proper custody so that he may be en abled to make his complaint. (2) If the master of a ship fails without reasonable cause to comply with this article, he shall for each offence be liable t o a fine (multa) not exceeding ten units. Deceased and distressed seamen and seamen left behind Effects and wages of deceased seamen.  Amended by:  XIII. 1983.5; XXII. 2000.2.