R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-15.1
Operation of a motorboat on the waters of this state by a nonresident person, his or her servant, or agent shall be deemed equivalent to an appointment by the nonresident of the secretary of state and the secretary's successor in office, to be his or her true and lawful attorney, upon whom may be served all lawful processes in any action or proceeding against the nonresident, growing out of any accident or collision in which the nonresident, his or her servant, or agent, may be involved while operating a motorboat on the waters of this state, and that operation shall be a signification of the nonresident's agreement that any such process against him or her, which is served as provided herein, shall be of the same force and validity as if served on him or her personally.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-15.1