If any pilot, endeavoring to assist or relieve any ship or vessel in distress, shall suffer loss or damage to his boat, her sails, tackle, rigging or appurtenances, the master, owner or consignee of such ship or vessel shall be liable to pay to such pilot the value of such loss or damage, to be ascertained by the said board of commissioners of navigation, as shall appear to them just.
55 P.S. § 91