Property of deceased seamen

(1) Notwithstanding section 173 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, c. 60, where it appears to the proper officer having the charge of the money or property of a deceased seaman, that any person to whom any money or other property may be paid or delivered under section 176 (1)(b) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894, c. 60, is resident in a foreign state, he may pay or 12 Diplomatic Privileges and Consular Conventions deliver the money or property to a consular officer of that state, and section 176 shall have effect accordingly. (2) The powers of a consul general or other consular officer under the Wrecks and Salvage Act, Cap. 237 (which enables a consular officer in certain circumstances to act as the agent of the owner for the purposes of the custody and disposal of articles belonging to or forming part of a foreign ship wrecked on or near the coast of Belize) shall extend to the custody and disposal of the wrecked ship itself as well as to the custody and disposal of such articles as aforesaid. S.I. 17of 1964.