Section 130: Settlement of wages

(1)
Where a seaman is discharged from a Nigerian ship and the settlement of his wages is completed before the superintendent, the seaman shall sign in the presence of the superintendent, a release in the prescribed form, of all claims in respect of the past voyage or engagement, and the release shall also be signed by the master or owner of the ship and attested to by the superintendent.
(2)
A release signed and attested to under subsection (1) of this section, shall operate as a mutual discharge and settlement of all demands between the parties to the release in respect of the past voyage or engagement.
(3)
A release under this section shall be retained by the superintendent and, on production from his custody, shall be admissible in evidence.
(4)
Where the settlement of a seaman's wages is, by this part of this Act, required to be completed through, or in the presence of the superintendent, no payment, receipt or settlement made otherwise than in accordance with this part shall operate or be admitted as evidence of the release or satisfaction of any claim.
(5)
When payment is made by a master before the superintendent, the superintendent shall, if required, sign and give to the master a statement of the whole amount paid and the statement shall, as between the master and his employer, be admissible as evidence that the master has made the payments mentioned in the statement.
(6)
A seaman may except from the release signed by him under this section, any specified claim or demand against the owner or master of the ship, and a note to any claim or demand so excepted shall be entered upon the release.
(7)
A release upon which an exception is entered shall not operate as a discharge or settlement of any claim or demand so noted, nor shall subsection (4) of this section apply to any payment, receipt or settlement made with respect to any such claim or demand.