MERCANTILE MARINE OFFICE 573
vessels and home trade passenger vessels must carry a duly
certificated master; and all such vessels of 100 tons burden and
upwards must also carry a duly certificated mate in addition to the
master. Foreign-going vessels carrying more than one mate must
have at least the first and second mates duly certificated.
Foreign-going steamships of 100 N.H.P. or upwards must have
at least two engineers, one first class and one second class, duly
certificated, and foreign-going steamships and home trade passenger
vessels of less than 100 N H.P. must have at least one certificated
engineer.
DISCHARGING THE CREW.
The master must pay to each seaman, on the lawful termination
of his engagement, two pounds (£2), or one quarter of the amount
01 wages due to him, whichever is least. The crew to be paid off
within two clear days (Sundays, holidays, etc , not counted).
The master must deposit the Articles and Official Log within
48 hours of arrival; or when paying the crew off, if that takes
place within 48 hours.
On the satisfactory closing of the Articles the superintendent
must deliver to the master a certificate to that effect (the B.B.).
The B.B. must be produced to the officer of Customs when the
ship is cleared inwards (see Custom House Regulations).
Dispute on Paying Off.—Any question of whatever nature and
whatever the amount in dispute between a master or the owner
and any of his crew if raised before a Superintendent of a Mercantile
Marine Office, and both parties agree in writing to submit the same
to him. The Superintendent shall hear and decide the question
submitted, and his decision shall be conclusive.
Seaman left behind in Hospital.—The man's wages and
effects, together with a list of same in duplicate, one for the patient
and one for the Consul, are handed to the British Consul and
sufficient money is left to cover all the man's expenses. This is all
carefully recorded in the Official Log. The British Consul attends
to the repatriation of the man when he is discharged from hospital.
Ship Abandoned.—In the event of shipwreck the crew are
entitled to twa months' pay from the date of abandonment, unless