Any person subject to this Act, who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,--
         (a) makes a false accusation against any person subject to this Act, knowing or having reason to believe such accusation to be false; or
         (b) in making a complaint against any person subject to this Act makes any statement affecting the character of such person, knowing or having reason to believe such statement to be false or knowingly or wilfully suppresses any material facts,
shall, on conviction by a Coast Guard Court, be liable to suffer imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.