In order to legally operate a motorized boat in Rhode Island, you must obtain a Certificate of Number (registration card) and validation decals. The Certificate of Number must be on board during opera...

According to Rhode Island’s life jacket laws, all boats are required to carry at least one Coast Guard-approved, wearable life jacket for each person on board. Children’s Life Jacket Law I...

The exhaust of every internal combustion engine on any motorized boat shall be effectively muffled by a muffler or underwater exhaust. The use of cutouts is prohibited, except for motorized boats comp...

Any person born after January 1st, 1986, must successfully complete a Boating Safety Course in order to operate a motorized boat that exceeds 10 horsepower. Anyone who operates a personal watercraft (...

It is illegal to operate any boat or to manipulate any waterskis, aquaplane or similar device in a careless, reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person. Fo...

It is illegal in the state of Rhode Island to operate any boat while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination thereof. In Rhode Island, a person is considered to be under the influence i...

Boating laws in Rhode Island are enforced by: The Department of Environmental Management. Harbor masters and assistant harbormasters. Police officers authorized to make arrests. Employees of the Depar...

An operator involved in a boating accident is required to: Stop their boat at the scene. Render assistance to any person who has been injured or who is in danger so long as they can do so without risk...

Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia Capsizing and person overboard emergencies are incredibly dangerous situations. Add cold air and/or cold water temperatures to the equation and the the level of da...

Your boat’s propeller (also known as the ‘prop’) is a dangerous piece of equipment for swimmers and towed sport participants. Props are underwater objects that spin quickly and force your boat t...