(a) Whenever a vessel is receiving or discharging a pilot, the master of the vessel shall bring his vessel to a full stop and shall supply a suitable ladder, in good condition, properly placed and secured, to enable the pilot to board or leave the vessel safely. In addition to any damages which may be awarded to a pilot against any vessel or her owners or agents for failing to provide the pilot with a safe means of boarding or leaving the vessel, the owners or agents of any vessel failing to comply with this section shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $500 and not less than $100.

(b) Any pilot who wilfully or negligently causes unnecessary delay to a vessel in the act of boarding or leaving her shall be subject to a penalty of $100.

(c) Subject to all laws, rules and regulations of the United States, or any agency or department thereof, the pilot on an outward-bound vessel may, when requested to do so, return to the agent of such vessel all letters handed to him by the master or purser of that vessel, provided such letters shall contain sufficient postage and are properly prepared for carriage and mailing. Neither the pilot nor any association of which he is a member, shall be liable in any way for the loss or misdelivery of any letter or parcel of letters or other mailing matter so delivered to the pilot, and a pilot may require the master of the vessel or the vessel's agent to sign a written statement relieving the pilot and the association to which he belongs from all such responsibility. Any necessary expense attending such service shall be paid by the local agent of the vessel.