SALISH — The MV Salish, which sets sail on its inaugural voyage on the Port Townsend-Coupeville run at noon today, was enthusiastically welcomed at a community celebration Thursday.

Today’s sailing will be the first time two ferries have served the route since the Steel Electrics were taken out of service in November 2007.

Both the Salish and its sister ship, the MV Chetzemoka — which began plying the route in November — were at the Port Townsend ferry terminal during the celebration.

“We worked very hard to get these boats here,” said Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval.

“I’m very grateful to our Legislature and to the ferry system for making this work.”

About 300 people gathered on the 64-vehicle Salish’s deck for the ceremony, which preceded a public tour of the boat.

“I promised you two boats, and now we have them,” said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, her voice cracking with emotion.

Haugen, chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee, fought to keep the Salish on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route after the state ferries system suggested it could be moved to another route to cut costs.

The chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, referred to Haugen as “the lion of the ferry system” in her speech.

Today’s sailing was especially fortunate on a weekend that is historically the Washington State Ferries’ busiest, noted Rep. Steve Tharinger, who — along with fellow Sequim Democrat Kevin Van De Wege — represents the 24th District, which covers Jefferson and Clallam counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County.

“This is a big deal to have two boats, especially in time for the holiday weekend,” Tharinger said.

The Salish and the Chetzemoka will operate in tandem until Oct. 10, when the route will return to one-boat service to allow ferries on other state routes to undergo maintenance.

Assistant Transportation Secretary David Moseley, who heads the state ferries system, and state Department of Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond told onlookers that the state ferries system had proven naysayers wrong.

“It wasn’t too long ago that a lot of people felt the ferry system and [Transportation] couldn’t build a boat efficiently or one that was a credit to our fleet,” Hammond said.

“Now, we have built two, and it’s great to see them side by side.”

The Salish is the second of three Kwa-di Tabil Class ferryboats contracted by the state at a cost of $213.2 million.

The first was the Chetzemoka. The third, the MV Kennewick, will work the Point Defiance-to-Tahlequah route once it enters service this winter.

Van De Wege and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard also spoke during the ceremony.

The celebration was for Port Townsend and Coupeville, but many speakers said the impact of two-boat service reaches across the entire state.

Said Sandoval: “Everyone should remember that the ferry system is part of our highway system, and we need to make sure that ferry funding is sustainable in the future.”

Kurt Grinnell of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe introduced two songs that were performed by members of three tribes — his own, the Port Gamble S’Klallam and the Lower Elwha.

“This is a high-tech ferry boat that we are going to be using and our children are going to be using for years to come,” Grinnell said.

“We all know what the economy is like, and to get this kind of money together to build the boat is just amazing,” he added.

The state ferries system advises reservations for vehicle travelers this weekend. Reservations can be made at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or by phoning 5-1-1.

Today’s sailing schedule has been adjusted because of low tides. From Port Townsend, the usual 6:30 a.m. sailing will be at 5:45 a.m., and the 8 a.m. is now at 7:15 a.m. From Coupeville, the 7:15 a.m. sailing has been adjusted to 6:30 a.m.

For schedule information, visit http://tinyurl.com/444nox6.

________

Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.