Application of forfeitures.

Where any wages or other property are under this Act forfeited for desertion from a vessel, they shall be applied towards reimbursing the expenses caused by such desertion to the master or the ship owner or his agent, which may be recovered by the master, or the ship owner or his agent in the same manner as the deserter could have recovered them if not forfeited, and subject to that reimbursement, shall be paid to the Central Government.