§ 20-2-27.1. Rhode Island party and charter vessel license.
(a) All party and charter vessels carrying recreational passengers to take or attempt to take marine species upon the navigable state and coastal waters of Rhode Island shall be required to obtain a Rhode Island party and charter vessel license. The annual fee shall be one hundred dollars ($100) for a resident of Rhode Island and shall be three hundred dollars ($300) for a nonresident. All licensed party and charter vessels shall be required to display a party and charter vessel decal provided by the department. To obtain a license, the owner of a qualified vessel must submit:
(1) A current copy of the operator’s United States Coast Guard license to carry passengers for hire;
(2) A current copy of the vessel’s “Certificate of Documentation” certifying that the vessel is documented “Coastwise,” or if the vessel is under five (5) net tons, a copy of the vessel’s state registration;
(3) Proof that the operator and crew are currently enrolled in a random drug testing program that complies with the federal government’s 46 C.F.R. § 16.101 et seq. “Drug Testing Program” regulations; and
(4) A signed license application form certifying that the vessel is and will be operated in compliance with all state and federal safety regulations for the vessel.
(b) Rhode Island party and charter vessel licenses shall expire on the last day of December every year.
History of Section.
P.L. 1998, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 451, § 24; P.L. 2021, ch. 162, art. 7, § 3,
effective July 6, 2021.