R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-7

Every person who shall after the arrival of the commissioner take, detain, or intermeddle with any property shipwrecked or found as aforesaid, except under the direction of the commissioner or of the owner, agent, or other person interested, provided, that the owner, agent, or other person interested, has possession of the property, shall forfeit one thousand dollars ($1,000) for such offense, to be recovered in the name of the commissioner, one-half (½) thereof to the use of the commissioner and one-half (½) thereof to the use of the person lawfully authorized to receive the property.