Cap. 234 Art. 305Obligationtoassist  vessels in distress. 

(1) The master of a Maltese ship, on receiving at sea a signal of distress or information from any source that a vessel or aircraft is in distress, shall proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in distress (informing them if possible that he is doing so), unless he is unable, or in the special circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or unnecessary, to do so, or unless he is released under the provisions of sub-article (3) or (4).

(2) Where the master of any ship in distress has requisitioned any Maltese ship that has answered his call, it shall be the duty of the master of the requisitioned ship to comply with the requisition by continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of the persons in distress.

(3) A master shall be released from the obligation imposed by sub-article (1) as soon as he is informed of the requisition of one or more ships other than his own and that the requisition is being complied with by the ship or ships requisitioned.

(4) A master shall be released from the obligation imposed by sub-article (1) and, if his ship has been requisitioned, from the obligation imposed by sub-article (2), if he is informed by the persons in distress, or by the master of any ship that has reached the persons in distress, that assistance is no longer required. (5)If a master fails to comply with the preceding provisions of this article, he shall for each offence be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or to a fine (multa) not exceeding one thousand units or to both such imprisonment and fine.

(6) If the master of a Maltese ship, on receiving at sea a signal of distress or information from any source that a vessel or aircraft is in distress, is unable, or in the special circumstances of the case considers it unreasonable or unnecessary, to go to the assistance of the persons in distress, he shall forthwith cause a statement to be entered in the official log book of his reasons for not going to the assistance of those persons, and if fails to do so, he shall be liable to a fine (multa) not exceeding one hundred units.

(7) The master of every Maltese ship shall enter or cause to be entered in the official log book every signal of distress or message that a vessel, aircraft or person is in distress at sea.

(8) Compliance by the master of a ship with the provisions of this article shall not affect his right, or the right of any other person, to salvage.