Section 108
Seafarer not to be enticed to desert.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
About this Act
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
No person shall,—
(a) by any means whatever persuade or attempt to persuade a seafarer to neglect or refuse to join or proceed to sea in or desert from his vessel, or otherwise to absent himself from his duty;
(b) harbour or secrete a seafarer who has wilfully neglected or refused to join or has deserted from his vessel, knowing or having reason to believe the seafarer to have so done:
Provided that the provisions of this clause shall not extend to the case in which the harbour or secreting is by the spouse of the seafarer.
(a) by any means whatever persuade or attempt to persuade a seafarer to neglect or refuse to join or proceed to sea in or desert from his vessel, or otherwise to absent himself from his duty;
(b) harbour or secrete a seafarer who has wilfully neglected or refused to join or has deserted from his vessel, knowing or having reason to believe the seafarer to have so done:
Provided that the provisions of this clause shall not extend to the case in which the harbour or secreting is by the spouse of the seafarer.