§ 46-22-4. Identification number and registration fee.
(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), the owner of each motorboat shall
file biennially an application for registration with the department of environmental
management on forms approved by the director. The application shall be accompanied
by a registration fee according to the following schedule:
| |
OVERALL LENGTH |
NOT MORE |
BIENNIAL FEE |
| |
AT LEAST |
THAN |
|
| |
FEET |
FEET |
|
| |
UNDER |
15 |
$30 |
| |
16 |
20 |
$40 |
| |
21 |
25 |
$60 |
| |
26 |
30 |
$100 |
| |
31 |
35 |
$200 |
| |
36 |
40 |
$250 |
| |
41 |
45 |
$300 |
| |
46 |
50 |
$400 |
| |
51 and over |
|
$600 |
(i) For the purpose of the above fee schedule, "overall length� shall be defined as the
horizontal distance between the foremost part of the stem, and, the aftermost part
of the stern, excluding bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets, and
similar fittings or attachments. For purposes of this section, a fraction of a foot
shall be deemed to be the next higher foot.
(ii) The fee payable under this section for any motorboat owned by a nonprofit organization
shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).
(iii) All vessels over thirty feet (30′) may, upon request, pay the registration fee annually
at the rate of one-half (½) the biennial fee for a vessel of the same length.
(2) Upon receipt of the completed application and correct registration fee, the department
of environmental management shall enter the application and registration fee into
its records, and issue to the owner a certificate of number stating the number awarded
to the motorboat and the name and address of the owner. The owner shall paint on or
attach to each side of the bow of the motorboat the identification number in such
manner as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the department of environmental
management in order that it may be clearly visible. The number shall be maintained
in legible condition. The certificate of number shall be pocket size and shall be
available at all times for inspection on the motorboat for which issued, whenever
that motorboat is in operation.
(b) The owner of any motorboat already covered by an identification number, in full force
and effect, which has been awarded to it pursuant to then operative federal law or
a federally approved numbering system of another state, shall record the number with
the department of environmental management prior to operating the motorboat on the
waters of this state in excess of the ninety (90) day reciprocity period provided
for in §â€‚46-22-6(a). The recordation shall be in the manner and subject to the procedure and fees required
for the award and transfer of a number under subsections (a) and (c) through (i),
except that no additional or substitute number shall be issued.
(c) Should the ownership of a motorboat change, a new application form shall be filed
with the department of environmental management. Should the change in ownership take
place before the date upon which the certificate of number expires, the new owner
shall pay an administrative fee of ten dollars ($10.00). The number assigned to the
vessel shall remain with the vessel and be non-transferable while the vessel remains
certified in the state of Rhode Island; provided, however, that upon the request of
the owner of a duly registered vessel of historic value that is more than fifty (50)
years old, the number assigned to the vessel may be transferred to a different historic
vessel owned by the same person. The original vessel will be given a new registration
number and the owner shall pay a transfer fee of six dollars ($6.00) for each vessel.
(d) In the event that an agency of the United States government shall have in force an
overall system of identification numbering for motorboats within the United States,
the numbering system employed pursuant to this chapter by the department of environmental
management shall be in conformity therewith.
(e) All records of the department of environmental management made or kept pursuant to
this section shall be public records.
(f) The department of environmental management shall fix a day and month of the year on
which the certificate of number is due to expire and no longer be of any force and
effect, unless renewed pursuant to this chapter.
(g) The owner shall furnish the department of environmental management notice of the transfer
of all or any part of the owner's interest, other than the creation of a security
interest in a motorboat numbered in this state, pursuant to subsections (a) and (b),
or of the destruction or abandonment of the motorboat, within fifteen (15) days thereof.
That destruction shall terminate the certificate of number for the motorboat.
(h) Any holder of a certificate of number shall notify the department of environmental
management within fifteen (15) days if the holder's address no longer conforms to
the address appearing on the certificate and shall, as a part of the notification,
furnish the department of environmental management the new address. The department
of environmental management may provide, in its rules and regulations, for the surrender
of the certificate bearing the former address or for the alteration of an outstanding
certificate to show the new address of the holder.
(i) No number, other than the number awarded to a motorboat or granted reciprocity pursuant
to this chapter, shall be painted, attached, or otherwise displayed on either side
of the bow of the motorboat.
(j) Biennial registration shall be phased in, alphabetically, over a two (2) year period
starting January 1, 1999 at which time all owners whose last names begin with the
letters "A� through "M� applications for registration will be accepted for consideration
on a biennial basis. Owners whose last names begin with the letters "N� through "Z�
shall be subject to biennial registration starting January 1, 2000.