Rhode Island General Laws Title 46. Waters and Navigation § 46-22-2. Definitions

(1) “ Director” means the director of the department of environmental management.

(2) “ Motorboat” means any vessel whether or not the vessel is propelled by machinery. For purposes of this chapter, motorboat shall not include houseboats as defined in § 44-5-25.1, canoes, and rowboats twelve feet (12′) in length or less.

(3) “ Operate” means to navigate or otherwise use a motorboat or a vessel.

(4) “ Owner” means a person, other than a lien holder, having the property in or title to a motorboat. The term includes a person entitled to the use or possession of a motorboat subject to an interest in another person, reserved, or created by agreement and securing payment or performance of an obligation, but the term excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security.

(5) “ Person” means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, or other entity.

(6) “ Personal watercraft” means a small class A vessel less than sixteen feet (16′) in length which uses an outboard motor or an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power; and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the vessel, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside of the vessel.

(7) “ Vessel” means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.

(8) “ Waters of this state” means any waters within the territorial limits of this state, and the marginal sea adjacent to this state and the high seas when navigated as a part of a journey or ride to or from the shore of this state.