RS 34:877: Abandonment of ship or refusal to perform duty; forfeiture and damages

Any person who ships upon a vessel to do service thereon either by the month or voyage, in the capacity of officer, engineer, pilot, clerk, mate, carpenter, cook, steward, cabin boy, watchman, fireman, deck hand, or laborer, and abandons the boat before having fulfilled his engagements, or refuses to do his duty in the capacity for which he shipped, shall, besides forfeiting all claims to the wages due for the service, be liable to the owners of the vessel for any damages which they may sustain by the abandonment or refusal to do duty.