13. Seamens welfare officers.- (1) The Central Government may appoint seamen's welfare officers at such ports in or outside India as it may consider necessary. (2) A seamen's welfare officer appointed under sub-section (1) shall perform- (a) in the case of any such officer appointed at any port in India, such functions in relation to welfare of seamen as may be assigned to him by the Central Government; (b) in the case of any such officer appointed at any port outside India, such functions in relation to welfare of seamen and such functions of an Indian consular officer under Part VII as may be assigned to him by the Central Government. (3) If any seamen's welfare officer appointed at any port outside India performs any functions assigned to an Indian consular officer under Part VII, such functions shall have the same effect as if they had been performed by an Indian consular officer for the purposes of that Part. | 
