Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 171

171. If a seaman lawfully engaged, or an apprentice to the sea service, belonging to a Maltese ship commits any of the followi ng offences he shall be liable to be punished as follows: (a) if he deserts from his ship he shall be guilty of the offence of desertion and shall be liable to forfeit all or any part of the effects he leaves on board and of the wages which he has then earned and also of the wages he may earn in any other ship in which he may be employed until his next return to Malta or to the port at which he was engaged, and to satisfy any excess of wages paid by the master or owner or bareboat charterer of the ship to any substitute engaged in his place at a higher rate of wages than the rate stipulated to be paid to him; (b) if he neglects, or refuses without reasonable cause, to join his ship, or to proceed to sea in his ship, or is absent without leave at any time within twenty-four hours of the ship’s sailing from a port, either at the commencement or during the progress of a voyage, or is absent at any time without leave and without sufficient reason from his ship or from his duty, he shall, if the offence does not amount to desertion, or is not treated as such by the master, be guilty of the offence of absence without leave, and be liable to forfeit out of his wages a sum not exceeding two days’ pay, and in addition for every twenty-four hours of absence, either a sum not exceeding six days’ pay, or any expenses properly incurr ed in hiring a substitute. Power of court to order offender to be taken on board ship.