180. Notice to be given in case of unrepresented seaman.- (1) If a collector has certified under sub-section (2) of section 179, or if a court has reason to believe that a seaman who is a party to any proceeding before the court, is unable to appear therein or is a serving seaman, the court shall suspend the proceeding and shall give notice thereof to the shipping master: Provided that the court may refrain from suspending the proceeding and giving the notice- (a) if the proceeding is one instituted or made by the seaman, alone or conjointly with other, with the object of enforcing a right of pre-emotion, or (b) if the interests of the seaman in the proceeding are, in the opinion of the court, either identical.with those of any other party thwart and adequately represented by such other party, or merely of a formal nature. (2) If it appears to the court before which any proceeding is pending that a seaman though not a party to the proceeding is materially concerned in the outcome of the proceeding and that his interests are likely to be prejudiced by his inability to attend, the court may suspend the proceeding and shall give notice thereof to the shipping master. (3) If on receipt of a notice under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the shipping master certifies to the court, that the seaman is a serving seaman, the court shall thereupon postpone the proceeding in respect of the seaman for such period as it thinks fit: Provided that if by reason of the continued absence of the seaman the question of any further postponement of the proceeding in respect of the seaman arises, the court shall in deciding the question have regard to the purposes of the provisions of this Act conferring special protection on seaman in respect of litigation. (4) If the shipping master either certifies that the seaman is not for the time being a serving seaman or fails within two months from the date of the receipt of the notice under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), as the case may be, to certify that the seaman is a serving seaman, the court may, if it thinks fit, continue the proceeding. | 
