Section 108

Where a seaman or apprentice is brought before a court on the ground of the offence of desertion, or of absence without leave, or of otherwise absenting himself without leave, the court, if the master or the owner or his agent so requires, may, in lieu of committing him to prison, cause him to be conveyed on board his ship for the purpose of proceeding on the voyage or deliver him to the master or any mate of the ship or the owner or his agent, to be by them so conveyed, and may in such case order any costs and expenses properly incurred by or on behalf of the master or owner by reason of the offence to be paid by the offender, and, if necessary, to be deducted from any wages which he has then earned or by virtue of his then existing engagement may afterwards earn.[123