146. Restrictions on suits for wages.-
A proceeding for the recovery of wages due to a seaman or apprentice shall not be instituted by or on behalf of any seaman or apprentice in any civil court except where-
(a) the owner of the ship has been declared insolvent;
(b) the ship is under arrest or sold by the authority of any Court;
(c) 1[a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate as the case may be,] refers a claim to the Court.