BENTON – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will offer a free Boater Safety Course at the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center Saturday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn basic principles of safe boating. Space is limited. Email course instructor Ervin Miller to register at ervin@upwardprint.com. The course is open to boaters of all ages and skill levels.

Illinois state law requires that all boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1998, must successfully complete the boater safety course before they can legally operate a motorboat with over 10 horsepower. Students 12 and over successfully completing the course and the final exam will receive an official wallet Certificate of Completion. Students under the age of 11 may not participate in the exam to receive certification.

The Illinois Boater Safety Course consists of eight hours of instruction and covers the basics of boating safety, equipment and requirements, navigation, registration and titling, emergency measures and the Illinois boating laws.

Inquires can be directed to the Rend Lake Project Office/Visitor Center at 618-724-2493. For additional information on Illinois Department of Natural Resources Safety Education, visit www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety.