Merchant Shipping Act 1894

172 Property of deceased seamen left abroad but not on board ship.

If any seaman or apprentice to the sea service belonging to a British ship the voyage of which is to terminate in the United Kingdom, or who has within six months preceding his death belonged to any such ship, dies at any place out of the United Kingdom, leaving any money or effects not on board the ship to which he belonged at the time of his death or to which he last belonged before his death, the chief officer of customs in the case of a British possession, and in other cases the British consular officer at or near the place, shall claim and take charge of such money and effects, and such money and effects shall be deemed to be property of a deceased seaman or apprentice within the meaning of this Part of this Act.