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