Newport Harbor Guide

Rhode Island sets no general minimum age for operating a motorboat alone. A child may operate a boat other than a personal watercraft alone with a boating safety certificate; without one, the child must be directly supervised onboard by someone age 18 or older who meets the education requirement. A certificate is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 who operates a vessel with more than 10 horsepower, and for every personal watercraft operator regardless of age. DEM says a certified child under 16 may operate a personal watercraft. Rental operators set their own minimum age, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (dem.ri.gov)

Yes. Rhode Island requires a boating safety certificate for anyone born January 1, 1986 or later who operates a vessel with more than 10 horsepower, and for every personal watercraft operator regardless of age or residency. DEM sets no age limit for its exam; a child may operate a non-PWC alone if certified, and someone under 16 may operate a PWC if certified. Exemptions include supervised training with a qualified adult age 18 or older, valid commercial operator licenses, temporary nonresidents meeting their home state’s requirements, and new residents for 60 days. Renters of boats over 10 horsepower who otherwise do not qualify must watch a DEM-approved safety video and pass a written exam. DEM administers certification.

Source: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (dem.ri.gov)

From Warwick, launch into Greenwich Bay, then choose Warwick Cove, Apponaug Cove, Greenwich Cove or the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. Greenwich Bay has generally deeper water away from its shoal edged shoreline. Warwick Cove is a narrow, channelized inlet with considerable pleasure boat activity; the Oakland Beach concrete ramp puts you directly into it.

Apponaug Cove is reached by a marked channel and has a 5 mph zone at its entrance. Greenwich Cove is marked slow no wake and is accessible from the ramp at Goddard Memorial State Park. For more open water, follow the marked route into West Passage while avoiding the shoals around Patience Island.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Warwick’s marinas on Narragansett Bay and Greenwich Bay, boaters can make easy day outings to East Greenwich, Wickford Harbor and Bristol Harbor. East Greenwich’s Greenwich Cove draws crews with its small marinas and waterfront dining. Wickford Harbor offers transient moorings, full service marinas, village shopping and restaurants. Bristol Harbor has a main anchorage open to visiting vessels, while its town docks put boaters within a short walk of historic shops and restaurants.

Source: Town of East Greenwich (eastgreenwichri.gov)