(1) Subject to subsection (2), the property of the deceased seaman shall be delivered, by the master of the ship by the most practicable means, to the personal representative of the deceased; or, if there is no personal representative, the master shall deliver the property of the deceased seaman to the Registrar of Seamen or to the proper officer as the case may be, for disposal—
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(a) in accordance with the law for determining the distribution or succession of personal property of deceased persons of the place in which the deceased seaman was last resident; or
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(b) in accordance with the order of a court having jurisdiction to determine the distribution of the property of the deceased seaman.