A proceeding for the recovery of wages due to a seaman or apprentice shall not be instituted by or on behalf of any seaman or apprentice in any Civil Court except where-

(a) the owner of the ship has been declared insolvent;

(b) the ship is under arrest or sold by the authority of any Court;

(c) [a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate, as the case may be,] refers a claim to the Court.