The Benton County Sheriff's Office is putting on a free boater education class March 23. The Richland Yacht Club is partnering with the sheriff's office on the class, which is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the yacht club, 350 Columbia Point Drive.

The class is for boaters age 12 and older and will teach the basics of boating safety, a sheriff's news release said. Through 2014, the state is phasing in a requirement that people operating boats with motors of 15 horsepower or greater carry boater education cards.

People who complete the local course will get a certificate they can use to obtain a card.

Deadline to sign up is Friday. Call 735-6555 or go to the sheriff's office at the Benton County Justice Center, 7122 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick.