§ 46-22-13 - Regattas, races, marine parades, tournaments, or exhibitions. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 46-22-13

   § 46-22-13  Regattas, races, marineparades, tournaments, or exhibitions. – (a) No regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, orexhibition (but not including a navigational or piloting contest), in whichvessels participating are to be propelled by machinery, may be held on anywaters of this state unless authorized by the department of environmentalmanagement, as set forth in this section. The department shall adopt and may,from time to time, amend regulations concerning the safety of motorboats andother vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participants.

   (1) Whenever a regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marineparade, tournament, or exhibition is proposed to be held, the person in chargethereof, shall, at least fifteen (15) days prior thereto, file an applicationwith the department of environmental management for permission to hold theregatta, motorboat or other boat race, marine parade, tournament, orexhibition. The application shall set forth the date, time, and location whereit is proposed to hold the regatta, motorboat or other boat race, marineparade, tournament, or exhibition, and it shall not be conducted withoutauthorization of the department of environmental management in writing.

   (2) No application for a motorboat race (not including anavigational or a piloting contest), in which vessels participating are to bepropelled by machinery on any waters of this state, shall be approved by thedepartment of environmental management until the applicant shall furnish proofto the department that the applicant has in force regatta liability insurancein the following amounts:

   (i) Bodily injury to one person $10,000

   (ii) Bodily injury to two or more persons $20,000

   (iii) Property damage – one accident $5,000

   (iv) Property damage – aggregate $10,000

   (b) A special permit shall be obtained from the department ofenvironmental management for authorization to engage in a trial run (other thana trial run held under the provisions of § 46-22-8) for a motorboatregatta or race, with or without cutouts and/or mufflers, the permit settingforth the time, place, and other conditions under which the trial run may bemade.

   (c) Motorboats used exclusively for racing, operating on thewaters of this state, other than when competing in a duly authorized regatta orrace, or making trial runs as set forth in this chapter, shall comply with allthe provisions of this chapter.

   (d) The provisions of this section shall not exempt anyperson from compliance with applicable federal law or regulation, but nothingcontained herein shall be construed to require the securing of a state permitpursuant to this section if a permit therefor has been obtained from anauthorized agency of the United States.