Rhode Island General Laws Title 46. Waters and Navigation § 46-9.1-5. Vessels required to take licensed state pilot

(a) Every foreign vessel and every American vessel under register entering or departing from any port or landing place of the state or transversing the waters of Block Island Sound shall take a pilot licensed under this chapter or under the laws of any other state having concurrent jurisdiction over these waters; and the vessels shall be subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the commission. In the case of a refusal to take a licensed pilot, the master, owner, agent, or consignee of the vessel shall pay the established pilotage fee as if a pilot had been employed.

(b) Every vessel transporting petroleum products within the Block Island Sound waters of this state shall be required to have aboard a pilot who is licensed by this state, or any other state having concurrent jurisdiction over the waters, unless the vessel is a common carrier and its owner holds a certificate of convenience and necessity from the division of public utilities and carriers of this state or a like certificate from any other state having concurrent jurisdiction over the waters.