Starting this year, boat operators 30 years old and younger must have a Boater Education Card and on Saturday the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office is offering a class to help young boaters earn it.

The class is eight hours and covers basic boating knowledge including: rules of the nautical road, vessel equipment, boat trailers, launching, emergencies, navigation aides and lights and terminology.

Successful completion of the class includes passing a 75-point examination. The cards are valid for the life of the boater.

The class will be held Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Poplars Room, Silverdale Community Center, 9729 Silverdale Way NW. The course is free, but there is a $10 administrative fee to cover the cost of the card.

After 2014 the card will be required for every boater born after Jan. 1, 1955.

For information about the Boating Safety Education Program, call (360) 902-8844, or visit online at: www.parks.wa.gov/boating.