(1) Any person who sends or is a party to sending a Saint Lucian ship to sea in such an unseaworthy state that the life of any person is likely to be endangered thereby, commits an offence, unless that person proves either—
(a) that he or she used all reasonable means to ensure that the ship was sent to sea in a seaworthy state; or
(b) that sending the ship to sea in such an unseaworthy state was, under the circumstances, reasonable and justifiable.
(2) The master of a Saint Lucian ship who knowingly takes a ship to sea in such an unseaworthy state that the life of any person is likely to be endangered thereby commits an offence, unless he or she proves that taking the ship to sea in such an unseaworthy state was under the circumstances reasonable and justifiable.
(3) A prosectuion under this section shall not be instituted except with the consent of the Director.
(4) A person who commits an offence against this section, on summary conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.