§ 46-9-2. Vessels required to employ state licensed pilot — “Vessel” defined.
(a) Every foreign vessel, regardless of gross tonnage or draft, and every American vessel under register, regardless of gross tonnage or draft, and every other vessel not exempted by § 46-9-3, or the laws of the United States, entering or departing from any port of the state or traversing the waters of the state north of a line drawn from Point Judith to Sakonnet Point, shall take and employ a pilot licensed under this chapter and shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter; and the vessel, its master, owner, agent, or consignee shall be liable for any pay pilotage rates in accordance with the pilotage rates established by the pilotage commission or which may be established under the provisions of this chapter; and the vessels shall be subject to regulations established by the pilotage commission, which commission is established under § 46-9-5.
(b) Unless otherwise provided, as used in this chapter, the word “vessel” means every description of watercraft or other artificial contraption used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water and measuring one thousand (1,000) gross tons or more, and capable of loading to a draft of twelve feet (12′) or more, and every foreign ship, boat, barge, vessel, and watercraft, regardless of gross tonnage or draft, and every American ship, boat, barge, vessel, and watercraft under register, regardless of gross tonnage or draft.
(c) Notwithstanding any of the above provisions, any vessel carrying or towing a barge or similar conveyance carrying more than one thousand (1,000) gross tons of any oil, petroleum, petroleum distillate, or any by-product thereof, shall be defined as a vessel and shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
History of Section.P.L. 1981, ch. 388, § 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 324, § 5.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 46 - Waters and Navigation
Chapter 46-9 - Pilots — Rhode Island Sound, Narragansett Bay, Sakonnet River, and Tributaries
Section 46-9-1. - Declaration of policy.
Section 46-9-2. - Vessels required to employ state licensed pilot — “Vessel” defined.
Section 46-9-3. - Vessels exempt from chapter.
Section 46-9-4. - Piloting without license.
Section 46-9-4.1. - Piloting without charts.
Section 46-9-5. - Pilotage commission.
Section 46-9-6. - Duties of commission.
Section 46-9-7. - Qualifications for original license.
Section 46-9-8. - Regulation of pilot boats.
Section 46-9-9. - Temporary pilot licenses — Emergencies.
Section 46-9-10. - Examination of applicants.
Section 46-9-11. - Deferment of applications for future examination.
Section 46-9-12. - Duration and renewal of licenses.
Section 46-9-13. - License fees.
Section 46-9-14. - Fall River pilots.
Section 46-9-15. - Prior licensees.
Section 46-9-16. - Pilot’s bond.
Section 46-9-17. - Liability for fees.
Section 46-9-18. - Lien for pilotage fees.
Section 46-9-19. - Commissions prohibited.
Section 46-9-20. - Accounts of fees — Payments to state — Use of funds.
Section 46-9-21. - Payment of pilotage fees.
Section 46-9-22. - Grounds for disciplinary action.
Section 46-9-22.1. - Grounds for minor disciplinary action.
Section 46-9-22.2. - Chemical test — Consent — Administration — Use as evidence — Refusal to submit.
Section 46-9-23. - Contest — Notice and opportunity to be heard.
Section 46-9-24. - Reinstatement following suspension.
Section 46-9-25. - Appeals from commission.
Section 46-9-26. - Penalty for violations.
Section 46-9-27. - Criminal penalty for intentional or grossly negligent violation — Felony.
Section 46-9-28. - Penalties — Misdemeanor.
Section 46-9-29. - Proceedings for enforcement — Injunctive relief.
Section 46-9-30. - Surrender of suspended or revoked license.
Section 46-9-31. - Appropriations.
Section 46-9-32. - Quarters and personnel for commission.