Section 179: Allowance of short or bad provisions

(1)
Where, during the voyage of a Nigerian ship-
(a)
the allowance of any of the provisions for a seaman as stipulated by his agreement is reduced except-
(i) in accordance with the regulations for reduction by way of punishment contained in the agreement with the crew; and
(ii) for any time during which the seaman wilfully and without sufficient cause refuses or neglects to perform his duty, or is lawfully under confinement for misconduct on board or on shore; or
(b)
it is shown that some of the provisions are or have been bad in quality and unfit for use, the seaman shall receive, by way of compensation for that reduction or bad quality, such sums as may be prescribed.
(2)
The court before which a case is tried under this section shall, if satisfied that the allowance of any provision was reduced due to inability to procure or supply the provisions in proper quantities, and that proper and equivalent substitutes were supplied in lieu of the provisions, take those circumstances into consideration and modify or refuse to make an order for compensation as the justice of the case may require.