Staten Island Ferry boat owned by Pete Davidson, Colin Jost is stuffed with asbestos, roaches, say ex-crew members

Asbestos and cockroaches might sink the plans of Saturday Evening Stay comedians Pete Davidson and Colin Jost to open a nightspot aboard a retired Staten Island Ferry boat, say former crew members of the ship.

Staten Island natives Davidson and Jost joined an investor group that purchased the 310-foot ferry — the M.V. John F. Kennedy — from town for $280,000 earlier this 12 months with the concept of turning it right into a bar, restaurant and leisure venue.

“We’re going to dock it within the metropolis and have a pleasant factor, or it might all go to sh*t and I’ll be doing heaps and many gigs subsequent 12 months,” Davidson advised Folks journal in February.

Davidson, who’s not on SNL, may have to name his agent to guide these gigs — turning the 57-year-old ship right into a nightspot is prone to value thousands and thousands, ferry staff mentioned.

The John F. Kennedy entered service in 1965, a time when “asbestos was a standard constructing materials,” mentioned Kevin Hennessey, who captained the ship earlier than he retired final 12 months.

“As time glided by and pipes and wires rot, the asbestos paneling was busted open and patched,” mentioned Hennessey. “It’s typically innocent till you grind it or drill into it.”

There’s additionally a giant cockroach downside on the ship, which Staten Island Ferry staff mentioned is the case with all the service’s boats — however is very dangerous on the John F. Kennedy.

Many roaches had been drawn to compartments beneath the ship’s seats used to retailer life jackets. “Persons are lazy and wish to dump their trash in these,” mentioned a ferry employee who requested to not be named.

The ship’s engine room was additionally broken final 12 months from a hearth that broke out shortly earlier than the ship was taken out of service, Hennessey mentioned. By the point Jost, Davidson and the opposite buyers purchased it, the engines had been nonetheless smoking and sputtering, Hennessey mentioned.

It’s unclear how a lot it should value to carry the ship right into a state of excellent restore. Paul Italia, a comedy membership proprietor who was a part of the group that purchased the boat, mentioned he acquired an estimate for work to be finished to the ship, however declined to say how a lot.

“It’s rubbish info,” Italia mentioned when the Day by day Information requested concerning the asbestos and cockroaches that ex-ferry staff say fill his ship. He mentioned he plans to announce plans for the decommissioned ferry by the top of the 12 months.

Hennessey mentioned he was skeptical Jost and Davidson might flip the ship into an leisure venue.

“I want these guys luck with the undertaking, however they’re going to wish some assist,” mentioned Hennessey. “That they had good intentions, however this was an impulse purchase by two guys with some huge cash who don’t know something about maritime vessels.”

“I’ve seen folks purchase vessels like this up to now with daydreams of opening up a restaurant, however then you definitely notice it’s not linked to a sewer line, it wants ADA compliance. All types of stuff.”

Cortney Koenig Worrall, president of the Waterfront Alliance, a gaggle that advocates for enchancment of town’s waterfront, mentioned turning the ship right into a membership might set the stage for extra waterfront venues in New York.

“They’re undoubtedly onto one thing,” mentioned Worrall. “However there are only a few areas inside New York Metropolis that may accommodate a completely anchored ship or venue like that. There’s a premium on house on land, however there’s a fair larger premium on waterfront property.”