§ 784. Subpoenas to officers or members of crews
No officer or member of the crew of any public vessel of the United States may be subpoenaed in connection with any suit authorized under this chapter without the consent of the Secretary of the department or the head of any independent establishment of the Government having control of the vessel at the time the cause of action arose, or of the master or commanding officer of such vessel at the time of the issuance of such subpoena.