Section 345: Sending unseaworthy ship to sea

(1) Any person who sends or attempts to send or is party to sending or attempting to
send a Nigerian ship to sea in such an unseaworthy state that the life of any person is
likely to be thereby endangered, is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless he proves either
that he used all reasonable means to insure her being sent to sea in a seaworthy state,
or that her going to sea in such an unseaworthy state was in the circumstances
reasonable and justifiable.
[L.N. 112 of 1964.]
(2) The master of a Nigerian ship who knowingly takes the same to sea in such an
unseaworthy state that the life of any person is likely to be thereby endangered, is
guilty of a misdemeanor, unless he proves that her going to sea in such an
unseaworthy state was in the circumstances reasonable and justifiable.
(3) Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under this section of this Code is liable to
imprisonment for two years.
(4) A prosecution shall not be instituted in respect of an offence under this section of
this Code otherwise than by or with the consent of a law officer.