(1)A seaman shall not be entitled to the rating of A.B., that is to say, of an able-bodied seaman, unless he has served at sea for [F1three years before the mast,] but the employment of fishermen in decked fishing vessels registered under the first part of this Act shall only count as sea service up to the period of [F1two years of that employment]; and the rating of A.B. shall only be granted after at least one year’s sea service in a trading vessel in addition to [F1two or more years sea service] on board of decked fishing vessels so registered.
(2)The service may be proved by certificates of discharge, by a certificate of service from the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen (granted by the Registrar on payment of a fee . . . F2 ), specifying in each case whether the service was rendered in whole or in part in steam ship or in sailing ship, or by other satisfactory proof.
Editorial Information
X1S. 126 repealed, in relation to seamen engaged in a British ship registered in the United Kingdom, by Merchant Shipping Act 1948 (c. 44), s. 5(6)
Textual Amendments
F1Words substituted by Merchant Shipping Act 1906 (c. 48), s. 58(1)
F2Words repealed by Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Act 1949 (c. 43), Sch. 3
Textual Amendments
F3Ss. 105–109, 113–125, 127–144 repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (c. 36), s. 100, Sch. 5
Textual Amendments
F4Ss. 145, 146 repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (c. 36), s. 100, Sch. 4 para. 2, Sch. 5
Textual Amendments
F5S. 147 repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (c. 36), s. 100, Sch. 5
Textual Amendments
F6Ss. 148–153 repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (c. 36), s. 100, Sch. 4 para. 3, Sch. 5
Textual Amendments
F7Ss. 154–208 repealed by Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (c. 36), s. 100, Sch. 5