R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-5-14: Operation of facilities for public use.

When any of the wharves, piers, bulkheads, slips, docks, basins, and other property, or any part thereof built, constructed, improved, or acquired by the department, shall have been completed and shall be ready for use, the director may, in his or her discretion, open the wharves, piers, bulkheads, slips, docks, basins, and other property, or any part thereof, to public use, and the director may employ such engineers, assistants, agents, clerks, and other persons as the director may deem necessary for the care, management, and maintenance of the wharves, piers, bulkheads, slips, docks, basins, and other property, and for the promotion and development of the public use thereof, and the general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary for the purposes enumerated in this section.