PORT ANGELES — In addition to family and friends, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, and Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins were on hand Saturday for induction of the Coast Guard cutter Swordfish into the fleet.
Lt. j.g. Sarah Salazar also was officially installed as commanding officer of the 87-foot vessel charged with law enforcement, homeland security and search and rescue missions for Group Port Angeles.
“It’s hard to believe this day has finally arrived,” she said.
Salazar, 24, is the youngest woman to take command of a brand new vessel in the region, said new District 13 commander Rear Adm. Richard Houck.
He advised Salazar to take care of her crew. The Swordfish has a crew of 10, including the skipper
“Challenge them, help them grow and breathe life into the Swordfish,” he said.
Collins, a four-star admiral who is the commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard, said Salazar was selected from the Coast Guard’s most promising young officers.
“I think you got one of our best,” he said.