Improper Speed or Distance

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

• No one may operate a vessel in any harbor, inlet, pond, or any other confined body of water in Rhode Island at a speed in excess of:
  • 45 miles per hour from sunrise to sunset and...
  • 25 miles per hour from sunset to sunrise or during other periods of restricted visibility such as fog.
• No one may operate a vessel faster than headway speed within 300 feet of an emergency vessel when its emergency lights are activated or when vessels engaged in activities recognized by the USCG are displaying rotating or sequential flashing red and yellow lights.
• It is illegal to exceed any posted speed limits. For example, harbors may be marked as “maximum speed 5 miles per hour—no wake” zones.