(1) The master of a ship in distress, after consultation, so far as may be possible, with the masters of the ships which answer his or her call for assistance, has the right to requisition one or more of those ships as he or she considers best able to render assistance, and it shall be the duty of the master or masters of the ships requisitioned to comply with the requisition by going with all speed to the assistance of the ship or persons in distress.
(2) The master of a ship shall be released from the obligation imposed by section 247(1) and, if his or her ship has been requisitioned, from the obligation imposed by subsection (1) of this section, if he or she is informed by the persons in distress or by the master of another ship which has reached such persons that assistance is no longer necessary.