OCEAN STATE YOUTH'S RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN WATER SPORTS, RIDING MOTORCYCLES AND BIKING

I. WATER SPORTS

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS WHO WISH TO OPERATE A
WATER VESSEL?

—> A vessel means every description of watercraft, other than a sea plane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on our waters. Waters means any waters in the territorial limits of Rhode Island and the marginal sea next to Rhode Island, and the high seas when navigated as part of a journey to ride to or from the Rhode Island shores.(110)

State law requires that a personal watercraft must be operated at all times in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers which unreasonably or unnecessarily endanger life, liberty or property shall constitute reckless operation of a vehicle and are prohibited.

Effective January 1, 2002, no person born after January 1, 1986, can operate a vessel fitted with propulsion machinery of more than ten(10) horsepower on the waters of Rhode Island, unless he or she has successfully completed a boating safety education program approved by the Director of the Department of Environmental Management.(111)

WHEN AM I REQUIRED TO WEAR A FLOTATION DEVICE WHEN RIDING A VESSEL?

—> Any person transporting a child ten (10) years of age or under in a vessel lass than twenty-six (26) feet in length on the waters of Rhode Island must assure that the child is wearing a personal flotation device approved by the United States Coast Guard.(112)

WHAT ARE THE AGE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF A VESSEL FOR TOWING A PERSON ON WATER SKIS OR A SURFBOARD OR SIMILAR DEVICE?

—> No person can operate a vessel on any waters in Rhode Island for towing other persons on water skis, or a surfboard, or similar device, unless there is in the vessel a person at least twelve (12) years of age, in addition to the operator, in a position to observe the progress of the persons being towed. (113)

There must also be a life preserver or other such device for a person being towed, and the activity must not be conducted between the hours from one (1) hour after sunset to one (1) hour before sunrise.

II MOTORCYCLES/BICYCLES

ARE CHILDREN PERMITTED TO RIDE AS PASSENGERS ON MOTORCYCLES?

—> Any passenger under the age of twelve (12) who rides as a passenger on a motorcycle or motor scooter must have a properly secured back-rest and must have his or her feet on a foot-rest. The child must be seated behind the operator unless a side car is provided. All passengers of motorcycles must wear a properly fitted helmet as approved by the DMV.(115)

AM I LEGALLY REQUIRED TO WEAR A HELMET TO RIDE A BICYCLE OR WHILE I AM SKATING OR SCOOTING?

—> Yes. Any child fifteen (5) years of age or younger who is operating , or who is a passenger on a bicycle, skateboard, roller-skates, scooter or inline skates on a public highway, bicycle path, shared use path, recreational area or park, school property or any other public right of way must wear a helmet. The helmet must fit the child's head and be secured by straps.(116)