(1) The Minister may, whenever he or she deems it necessary, spend money on the temporary relief, in such manner as the Minister thinks advisable, of a shipwrecked, destitute or otherwise distressed seaman—
(a) not otherwise entitled to relief under this Act or under the laws of the country to which their ship belongs;
(b) who are citizens of Saint Lucia employed on a foreign vessel and discharged or left behind in a foreign country.
(2) Any expenses incurred for a shipwrecked, destitute or otherwise distressed seaman under this section, shall be repaid to the Minister by the owner, master or agent of the vessel to which the distressed seaman belonged and may be recovered by the Minister on behalf of the Government in the same manner as expenses incurred outside Saint Lucia for distressed seamen of Saint Lucian ships are recoverable.