When the person whose attendance is required as a witness is a nonresident of the county where the matter or claim is pending or is a seaman, his interrogatories or depositions may be taken and returned to the commissioners in the manner provided by law for taking and returning interrogatories and depositions in the courts of record of this state and may be put in evidence before the commissioners when the personal attendance of the witness cannot be secured. Reasonable notice of intention to take the interrogatories or depositions and of the time and place of the hearing must be given to all persons interested, or to their attorneys, or to the master, agent, or charterer of any vessel, where the vessel or her owners or cargo are interested.