Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Enforcement

Officers of the Department of Environmental Management’s Environmental Police, harbormasters, and police officers have the authority to enforce the boating laws of Rhode Island. The U.S. Coast Guard also has enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

• It is illegal to refuse to stop or move when commanded to do so by a person with enforcement authority.
• The officer has the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check that you are complying with state and federal laws.

Officers of the Department of Environmental Management’s Environmental Police, harbormasters, police officers, and U.S. Coast Guard officers have the right to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with state and federal laws.