Rhode Island General Laws Title 46. Waters and Navigation § 46-8-8. Altered or removed serial numbers--Penalties--Replacement identification numbers

(a) Whoever removes, defaces, alters, changes, destroys, obliterates, or mutilates, or causes to be removed or destroyed or in any way defaced, altered, changed, obliterated, or mutilated, the identification number of the manufacturer of a motor or engine designed for use in or on a boat, with intent thereby to conceal the identity of the motor or engine, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Whoever possesses, sells, or otherwise disposes of or attempts to sell or otherwise dispose of such motor or engine, knowing or having reason to believe that the identifying number or numbers on the motor or engine have been so removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, obliterated, or mutilated, shall be punished by the same fine or imprisonment or both.

(b) This section shall not prohibit the restoration by an owner of an original serial, engine, or other number or mark when the restoration is made under permit issued by the director of the department of environmental management, or the director's designee, nor prevent any manufacturer from placing, in the ordinary course of business, numbers or marks upon a motor or engine or parts thereof.

(c) Any person who has in his or her possession any motor or engine or any part thereof, the identifying number or numbers of which have been removed, defaced, altered, changed, destroyed, obliterated, or mutilated, can, on or before January 1, 1980, make application to the director of the department of environmental management for a replacement identification number. Upon a showing that the person in possession thereof is the rightful owner, the identification number shall be attached by the director of the department of environmental management, or the director's designee.