When a seafarer is discharged and the master declines to express an opinion on the conduct, character and ability of the seafarer, the discharge shall be made before a proper officer, to whom he shall furnish a report in the prescribed form stating that he so declines, and the proper officer shall, if the seafarer so desires, give to him or
endorse on his certificate of discharge a copy of such report. The master shall enter in the official log-book his reasons for so declining, and shall, upon the request of the seafarer, read out to him, in the presence of the proper officer, the reason so entered. The proper officer shall, whenever practicable, give the seafarer a reasonable opportunity to make a statement upon such report.
