(1) When a seaman is discharged from a Saint Lucian ship, the master of that ship shall make and sign a report in the prescribed form, in this section called a “character report”, in which the master—
(a) shall report on the conduct, character and qualifications of the seaman who is being discharged; or
(b) may state that he or she declines to give any report on the conduct, character and qualifications of the seaman who is being discharged.
(2) The master before whom the discharge of a seaman is being made shall, subject to section 187 and if the seaman so desires, give the seaman a copy of the character report on him or her.
(3) A person commits an offence who—
(a) makes a false report of character knowing the same to be false;
(b) forges or fraudulently alters any certificate of discharge or character report or copy of a character report;
(c) fraudulently uses any certificate of discharge or character report, that is forged or altered or that does not belong to him or her.