700.848—Relations with merchant seamen.
When in foreign waters, the commanding officer, with the approval of the senior officer present, may receive on board as supernumeraries for rations and passage:
(a)
Distressed seamen of the United States for passage to the United States, provided they bind themselves to be amenable in all respects to Navy Regulations.
(b)
As prisoners, seamen from merchant vessels of the United States, provided that the witnesses necessary to substantiate the charges against them are received, or adequate means adopted to ensure the presence of such witnesses on arrival of the prisoners at the place where they are to be delivered to the civil authorities.