It's the Law: On the Water

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. This includes the right to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with federal and state laws.
• 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.