R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-6-4: Registration of boats and display of numbers.

No boat shall be used in the taking of quahaugs by dredge or the commercial taking of scallops unless that boat has been registered with the director of environmental management. Each registered boat shall be issued a certificate of registration and assigned a number, and this number shall be displayed on a flat surface in a conspicuous place upon the port side while the boat is engaged in taking quahaugs or scallops.