R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-8
Every vessel, boat, or launch of any draft, size, or tonnage, used for the purpose of transporting from the Rhode Island shoreline to a vessel in Narragansett Bay south of the Newport and Jamestown Bridges or, in Rhode Island Sound and in Block Island Sound, a pilot or any person intending to pilot a vessel shall be in compliance with the rules and regulations established by the state pilotage commission regarding the construction, safety, equipment, manning, and operations of the vessel, boat, or launch; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the jurisdiction of the commission to regulate the vessels, boats, or launches in other waters subject to this chapter. Further, the owner or operator of the vessel, boat, or launch shall secure and hold a current certificate of compliance issued by the state pilotage commission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-9-8