R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-23: Penalty for unauthorized intermeddling with property.

If any person shall, after the arrival of the director of the department of environmental management, take, detain, or intermeddle with any property shipwrecked or found as aforesaid, except under the direction of the director or of the owner or agent or other person interested, he or she shall forfeit one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each offense, to be recovered in the name of the director, owner, agent, or other person interested, to his or her own use.