(1) In every case of desertion from an Indian ship whilst such ship is at any place out of India, the master shall produce the entry of desertion in the official log book to the Indian consular officer at the place, and that officer shall thereupon, make and certify a copy of the entry.
     (2) The master shall forthwith transmit such copy to the shipping master at the port at which the seaman or apprentice was shipped, and the shipping master shall, if required, cause the same to be produced in any legal proceeding.
     (3) Such copy, if purporting to be so made and certified as aforesaid, shall, in any legal proceeding relating to such desertion, be admissible in evidence.