RECKLESS OPERATION OF VESSELS

No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel, or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device in a reckless manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of another.

• No person shall operate any motorboat or vessel or manipulate any water skis, surfboard, or similar device while intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic drug, barbiturate, or marijuana.
• No person shall operate a motorboat or vessel within a water area, which has been clearly marked, in accordance with, and as authorized by, the laws of the state, by buoys or some other distinguishing device as a bathing, swimming, or otherwise restricted area.
• No person shall operate any motorboat, vessel, or seaplane in a manner which shall unreasonably or unnecessarily interfere with any other motorboat, vessel, or seaplane, or with the free and proper navigation of the waterways of the state.
• Anchoring under bridges or in heavily traveled channels shall constitute interference if unreasonable under the prevailing circumstances.
• No motorboat, vessel, or seaplane shall be docked or made fast to any pier, wharf, or other shore structure without the consent of the owner thereof, except in the case of an emergency.

Operating so as to Endanger, Resulting in Death

When the death of any person ensues as a proximate result of an injury received by the operation of any vessel in reckless disregard of the safety of others, the person so operating such vessel shall be guilty of "operating so as to endanger, resulting in death."

• Any person charged with the commission of the foregoing shall upon conviction be imprisoned for not more than ten (10) years.

Operating so as to Endanger, Resulting in Personal Injury

When the serious bodily injury of any person ensues as a proximate result of the operation of any vessel in reckless disregard of the safety of others, the person so operating such vessel shall be guilty of "operating so as to endanger, resulting in personal injury."

"Serious bodily injury" means physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.

• Any person charged with a violation of this section shall upon conviction be imprisoned for not more than five (5) years and shall be required to take a boating safety course.

Owner's civil liability

The owner of a vessel shall be liable for any injury or damage occasioned by the negligent operation of the vessel, whether the negligence consists of a violation of the provisions of the statutes of this state, or neglecting to observe such ordinary care and such operation as the rules of the common law require.

• The owner shall not be liable, however, unless the vessel is being used with his or her express or implied consent.
• It shall be presumed that the vessel is being operated with the knowledge and consent of the owner, if at the time of the injury or damage, it is under the control of his or her spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other immediate member of the owner's family.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to relieve any other person from any liability which he or she would otherwise have, but nothing contained herein shall be construed to authorize or permit any recovery in excess of the injury or damage actually incurred.

Speeding

• No person shall operate any motor-boat or vessel in any harbor or inlet or any pond or other confined body of water in this state in excess of forty-five (45) miles per hour during the hours from sunrise to sunset and twenty-five (25) miles per hour during periods of darkness or other periods of restricted visibility; provided, however, nothing herein shall prohibit the posting of lesser speed limits where deemed necessary by the appropriate state or local authority.
• Maximum speeds for boats in the public harbors in the state of Rhode Island is five (5) miles per hour, no wake.