R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-8: Publication of notice of finding of wreck.

The commissioner, as soon as may be after a wreck or shipwrecked goods shall be found, shall publish the particulars of the shipwreck or goods found, with any other material facts that he or she shall ascertain, in some daily newspaper published in the city of Providence, in order that knowledge thereof may be given as soon as possible to the owner, agent, or person interested; and if the commissioner shall neglect to do so, he or she shall forfeit one hundred dollars ($100), to be recovered in an action at the suit of the owner, agent, or person interested, to his or her own use.