Section 46 Punishment of masters of merchant vessels under convoy disobeying orders or deserting convoy.C1

If the master or other person having the command of any ship of any of Her Majesty’s subjects under the convoy of any of Her Majesty’s ships of war wilfully disobeys any lawful signal, instruction, or command of the commander of the convoy, or without leave deserts the convoy, he shall be liable . . . F1 upon conviction to be fined, in the discretion of the court, any sum not exceeding five hundred pounds, and to suffer imprisonment for such time, not exceeding one year, as the court may adjudge.