[(1) The apprenticeship of any person to the sea service shall be by contract in writing between the apprentice or if he is a young person, then, on his behalf by his guardian, and the master or owner of the ship requiring the apprentice.]

(2)

Every such contract shall be executed in duplicate in the prescribed form and in accordance with the [rules] [See the Merchant Shipping (Apprenticeship to Sea Service) Rules, 1960.] made by the Central Government in this behalf.

(3)

Every such contract shall be executed in the presence of, and shall be attested by, the shipping master of the port, who shall, before the execution of the contract, satisfy himself-

(a) that the intended apprentice-

(b) if the intended apprentice is [a young person] [Substituted for the words 'a minor' by Act No. 32 of 2014.], that his guardian's consent has been obtained to his being bound as an apprentice.

(4)

Every such contract made in India and every assignment, alteration or cancellation thereof, and where the apprentice bound dies or deserts, the fact of the death or desertion shall be recorded in the manner specified in section 93.