SALEM - Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and a small flotilla of dignitaries will ride the Salem ferry next week on its maiden voyage.

They will board the high-speed catamaran at 10 a.m. Thursday at Central Wharf in Boston, which is next to the New England Aquarium, and dock 45 minutes later at the Blaney Street landing in Salem.

In addition to Healey, who heads the Massachusetts Seaport Council, the list of officials who are taking the first ride includes Senate Majority Leader Fred Berry of Peabody, state Rep. John Keenan of Salem and Mayor Kim Driscoll.

As part of "Salem Day," city residents will get to ride the ferry for free on Thursday afternoon. The 149-passenger boat will tour Salem Harbor, departing at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. In lieu of payment, residents are asked to make a donation to the Foundation for Salem Public Education.

There also will be face-painting, games, balloons and other children's activities on the Blaney Street landing. The North Shore Spirit's mascot, Slugger, will raffle off tickets to an upcoming Spirits game.

Regular ferry service for the public begins Saturday, June 24, and runs through Halloween.

There will be six to eight round trips every day, including a commuter run that leaves Salem at 7 a.m. on weekdays. The last return trip to Salem is 9 p.m. on weekday nights and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Round-trip tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and $14 for children. There are discounts for commuters, families and evening rides.

For more information on the ferry, go to salem.org or salemferry.com.