SECTION 1. Chapter 46-22 of the General Laws entitled "Regulation of Boats" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

46-22-13.1. Marine safety zones. -- (a) The director of the department of environmental management is hereby authorized, when necessary for the safety of the public and/or protection of the environment, to establish temporary safety zones on the waters of this state for the purposes of restricting vessel traffic, and direct those persons authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter to prosecute in district court any violations of any marine safety zone. The director shall coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard and, when applicable, local harbormasters prior to the establishment of a marine safety zone.

(b) As described in this section, a temporary marine safety zone shall not exist for longer than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours. Only in the event of an environmental disaster, marine disaster or public safety emergency shall the director have the authority to extend the zone beyond seventy-two (72) hours.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year or a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000), or both, for each violation.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.