New ferry Salish may sail Friday

Washington State Ferries hopes to put its newest 64-car vessel, the Salish, into service on Friday.

Spokeswoman Marta Coursey said a problem discovered Monday with a backup generator threatened to delay plans to put the boat to work on the busy Fourth of July weekend, but they’re working on it.

The Salish would join the Chetzemoka on the Port Townsend-Whidbey Island route. With two boats, the 90-minute sailings will be cut in half.

The Peninsula Daily News reports Port Townsend will hold a community celebration for the new ferry on Thursday at the ferry terminal, whether the Salish is ready or not.

The ferry system expects to take delivery of a third new ferry, the Kennewick, by the end of the year.