R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-21
The operator or owner of a vessel on the waters of this state, involved, or whose vessel is involved, in an accident, casualty, vandalism, or theft in excess of two thousand dollars ($2,000), or other casualty which results in death or injury to a person, shall report the same, and immediately give notice of the incident to the department of environmental management or to a nearby office of local or state police. In the event the local or state police are notified, it shall be the duty of the officer receiving the notice to immediately give notice of the incident to the of department of environmental management. In the event the department of environmental management is notified, it shall be the duty of the employee of the department receiving the notice to give notice of the incident to the state and local police of the city or town wherein the incident occurred within twenty-four hours (24) hours in the following circumstances: thefts in excess of one hundred dollars ($100), or any accident which results in bodily injury or death to a person. In order to allow more complete investigations of theft, all motorboats manufactured after 1971, required to apply for numbering in § 46-22-3, shall provide to the department of environmental management, at the time of their next annual application, the full hull identification number of the vessel. Homemade vessels may apply to the department for identification numbers. The director may promulgate regulations for the enforcement of this requirement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-22-21