Illegal Operation

Rhode Island law provides regulations that apply to all vessel operators boating on Rhode Island waters.

• The failure to exercise the care necessary to prevent the endangerment of life, limb, or property of any other person is illegal.
  • While a vessel is underway, no person is allowed to ride or sit on the gunwales, tops of seat backs, or on the decking over the bow of a boat unless the bow of the vessel is equipped with seats designed to accommodate passengers or a handrail that encompasses the bow and all persons on the bow are inward of such handrail. This restriction does not apply to persons in or on the bow of a vessel engaged in anchoring, mooring, or docking.
  • While a vessel is underway, no person in or on the bow of the vessel is allowed to hang any portion of the body beyond the handrail or outside the vessel over the top of the gunwale. This restriction does not apply to persons in or on the bow of a vessel engaged in anchoring, mooring, or docking.
• It is illegal to operate a vessel within any marked restricted areas such as swimming areas.
• It is illegal to enter any posted exclusionary zones.
• You may not dock or secure your vessel to a pier, wharf, or any other shore structure without the consent of the owner of the structure except in the case of an emergency.