R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-2: Commissioner to take charge of wrecked property.

The commissioner shall, immediately on receiving information of any shipwreck within his or her jurisdiction or of the finding of any shipwrecked goods or property of any kind in value to the amount of twenty dollars ($20.00) or more upon the shore, repair to the place where the property may be found, and, in case the property shall not be in the custody of the owner or an agent of the owner, the commissioner shall take charge of the property and shall preserve and secure the property for the owner.