11. Duties on Disaster.—
If the ship becomes stranded, disabled or wrecked, the master is bound to use all reasonable efforts to save all that may be rescued out of the disaster. The maritime law contemplates that he must be the last man to leave the ship in every sense of the expression. He must be diligent to obtain the aid of salvors and to protect the property in his charge. As far as may be, the cargo must be saved, stored and transhipped to its destination. The crew must have provision made for return and the wreck itself preserved as far as it is of value. He cannot give away any of the property or needlessly sacrifice any of it. He should promptly communicate with his owners and underwriters, both ship and cargo, and, until lawfully superseded, has all the authority which the necessities of the situation demand.
While the master is bound to follow instructions as to the course of his voyage, and may not deviate unless forced to do so by stress of weather or for the safety of vessel, crew or cargo, he may always deviate from his course for the purpose of saving life. He is not bound to lie by or delay his voyage for the purpose of preserving the property of third persons, though he may deviate, in the exercises of a sound discretion, to save property in peril.