Rhode Island Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island boat registration and titling overview is a free public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Rhode Island. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration and Titling Agency
Boat registrations and titles in Rhode Island are
administered by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) which is headquartered in
Providence. Services are only available through the DEM Boating and
Licensing office.
Registration Statistics: There are
approximately 38,025 boats currently registered in Rhode Island which accounts for
0.3% percent nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate
3,074 documented owners with a Rhode Island address and 5,460 documented vessels that display a
Rhode Island hailing
port.
Uniform Titling: Rhode island has not yet fully adopted the
Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act (UCOTVA) which basically
sets the same nationwide standards for boat titling as those for
vehicles. There are accordingly no provisions for boat title branding in
Rhode Island.
Vessel Information System: Rhode island participates in the Vessel Identification System (VIS) where boat registration data is shared among government agencies throughout the nation.
Registration and Titling Requirements
Rhode Island requires registration and titling of all non-exempt
boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The following are basic
requirements and exemptions with further details available from the
referrals for this overview.
Motor Boats: All motorized boats and
watercraft must become registered including those over 12 feet
regardless of propulsion in Rhode Island.
Sailboats:
Sailboats must become registered in Rhode Island if mechanically powered
including those over 12 feet regardless of propulsion.
Canoes and Kayaks: Canoes and kayaks 12 feet and under are exempt from registration in
Rhode Island if manually propelled.
Inflatable Boats:
Manually propelled inflatable boats under 12 feet and under are exempt from
registration in Rhode Island.
Dinghies and Tenders:
Dinghies and tenders 12 feet and under are exempt from registration in Rhode
Island if manually powered.
Lifeboats:
Lifeboats 12 feet and under are exempt from registration in Rhode Island if manually powered.
Documented Vessels: Coast Guard documented vessels are not
exempt from registration in Rhode Island, although state titling is forbidden.
Visiting Boats: Foreign boats, USCG documented vessels and those
currently registered in another state may visit Rhode Island for up to
90 days without having to register.
Boat Titles: All
registered boats measuring 14 feet or longer must become titled in
Rhode Island.
Outboard Motors: Outboard motors are
registered separately in Rhode Island. The serial numbers can
also be listed
on a Boat Title application.
Boat Trailers: All boat trailers must
be registered in Rhode Island. These are handled by the Division of
Motor Vehicles.
Registration and Title Application
Boat registrations and titles in Rhode Island are
available in person, by mail or from the Department of Environmental
Management's Boating and Registration Office. In doing so, you will need
to provide evidence of ownership and submit the necessary fees.
Application Forms: Boat registration and title forms are
available online from the DEM website or from the Boating and
Registration office.
Manufacturer's Statement:
When a new boat is to be registered for the first time, you must
present a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title: When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous
Registration: If a boat was registered in a non-title
state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration
certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures: In order to register a foreclosed
boat, the lender will need to provide evidence of compliance with
the respective state or federal laws.
Mechanic's Liens: In order
to register a boat foreclosed on towing, storage and service possessory liens you must provide evidence of compliance
with state lien laws.
Abandoned Boats: In
order to register or title an abandoned boat you must provide evidence of
compliance with state abandoned property laws.
Title Bonding:
Boat title bonding is available in Rhode Island when there is
insufficient evidence of ownership. Contact the DEM for further
information.
Registration Fees:
The most current list of boat registration fees may be found by visiting
the DEM website.
Registration Renewals: Boat registration
renewals are handled exclusively online from the DEM website.
Numbering Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Rhode Island begin with
an "RI" designation which is followed by four numbers and then
two letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats
along with the current registration decals. State boat numbering
configuration, size and placement requirements are dictated by
federal regulations. More detailed information can be found in
the referrals for this summary.
Hull Numbers:
All vessels built after 1972 are required to have a properly
formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although
typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners
with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the
Division of Environmental Management for an hull number assignment. These are prefixed with the letters "RIZ" in place
of the manufacturer's identification code. Boats must be
inspected by a law enforcement official whenever their is a
missing or questionable hull identification number.
Lien and Security Interest Recordings
Available options for securing loans, liens and claims
against boats registered Rhode Island are determined
by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation
or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented or state
titled.
Loan Security Interests: Boat loan security
interests on titled boats in Rhode Island are listed on the certificate of
title. Security interests in non-titled and non-documented boats
must recorded as UCC filings with the Department of State. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred vessel mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens: Tax liens are
sometimes flagged in the state's boat registration database,
recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state
revenue records, or filed with a county clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens:
There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on Rhode
Island boat registration records. However these may be listed
for informational purposes on a USCG documented vessel's underlying
abstract of title. Our boat lien claims registry also serves as
a proprietary source of exposing such information to the general
public.
Stolen Boats:
Although stolen boats are not typically viewed as maritime
liens, the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of a
subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for recording stolen
boats in Rhode Island other than by filing a report
with the Division of Environmental Management. These will in turn become listed
in their stolen boat database and perhaps the National Crime
Information Center database. Our stolen boat registry also
serves as a proprietary database for the boating industry.
Title and Lien Searches
Title and lien search methods for Rhode Island registered
boats will vary according to the type of lien and whether the
boat is USCG documented.
Registration Database Searches:
Registration and title records for Rhode Island are maintained in a
database administered by the Division of Environmental Management Access
to such data is available for owners and certain qualified parties as
prescribed by regulatory standards. Comprehensive guidelines about boat
record searches in Rhode Island can be found in the references
for this overview.
UCC Searches:
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Rhode Island are
available online from the Department of State website.
USCG Documentation Searches: Ownership,
mortgage and lien information on USCG documented vessels can be
obtained by ordering an abstract of title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Lien
Searches: State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a flag on state
registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records,
in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title
for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth
obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access
to a broad range of personal lien
recordings.
Non-Recorded Liens: Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages which are related to the
boat itself. This type of research can only be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
Lien Claim Searches: Additional information
about boat lien claim searches can be found in the referrals for
this overview.
Owner Background Checks: Yacht brokers,
documentation companies and attorneys do not warrant or
guarantee titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title
insurance in the marine industry. It is therefore incumbent on
the owner to stand behind any such representations. This will of
course be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent,
non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. A thorough background check to ensure the owner's
inclination and ability for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies is recommended. Information on how to go about this
can be found in the referrals for this page.
Business Entity Search:
You should run a business entity search when dealing with a boat
registered to an entity such as a corporation or limited
liability company. This will help confirm the legitimacy of such
enterprise and identify those authorized to act on its behalf.
An online search portal for doing so is maintained by the
Department of State which can be accessed from the referrals for
this overview.
Stolen Boat Search: Rhode Island does
not maintain a list of boats that have been stolen within the state. You
will need to contact the Division of Environmental Management for such data. Detailed information about stolen boat searches
can also be found in the resources and guidelines sections of
our website. Visit the resources and guidelines sections of our
website for additional information about stolen boats.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax: Sales and use taxes
do not apply to registered boats in Rhode island.
Personal Property
Tax: Recreational boats are not subject to personal property
tax assessments in Rhode Island.
Insurance
Requirements: Boat liability and collision insurance are not required in
Rhode Island. However,
you should check with a local insurance agent as this may be
subject to change without notice. In any event, insurance is
highly recommended and you may also need this for moorage
purposes or when making a loan on the boat.
Operator Requirements
Personal Requirements: Age limitations and
boater education requirements apply to boat operators in
Rhode Island. Visit the referrals for this overview for the most current age
and boater education requirements
Accident Reporting:
Boating accidents in Rhode Island must be immediately reported
to the Division of Environmental Management or a law enforcement agency. Information for doing so can be found in the
referrals for this overview.
Notifications: The DEM must be notified whenever a registered or titled boat has been transferred, stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency: The primary boating law enforcement
agency in Rhode Island is Division of Enforcement. However, all enforcement
agencies are authorized to implement boating rules and
regulations.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections