New York comedy stars Pete Davidson and Colin Jost buy Staten Island ferry

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Former Staten Island Ferry »John F. Kennedy«

Photo: Seth Little/AP

It's not just a floating craft, it's not a regular ship, and it's pretty battered if the current pictures are to be believed.

But the US comedians Pete Davidson and Colin Jost, known from the show »Saturday Night Live«, have just acquired nothing less than a New York landmark: Together with other investors, they bought a 57-year-old ferry, which until last August was between the neighborhoods of Manhattan and Staten Island and has now been auctioned off by the city.

This was reported at the weekend by the TV station NBC, which broadcasts “Saturday Night Live”.

The iconic Staten Island ferries bring thousands of New Yorkers to work every day.

But they are also popular with tourists because the ride is free and passes close to the Statue of Liberty.

The now auctioned ship bears the name »John F. Kennedy«.

Its engines are dead, but it was worth $280,100 to Davidson and Jost, both Staten Island natives.

The comedy stars plan to turn the ferry into a stage for live entertainment, according to NBC.

The new mayor of New York, Eric Adams, cheered on Twitter: "I think this idea is great!

What a great concept to give a second life to a NYC icon.

Let us know how we can support you.

And then we come to the maiden voyage!«

The "John F. Kennedy" was put into service in 1965, is 84 meters long, 21 meters wide and weighs 2100 tons.

Speed: around eleven knots, a tranquil 20 km/h.

The ferry had room for 3500 passengers.

While her sister ships were all retired in the early noughties, the "John F. Kennedy" was used to the very end when a particularly large number of passengers wanted to get on the water.

The new owners now have two weeks to find a permanent berth for the orange ship and have it towed there by tugs.

Then they will probably have to invest a few working hours in the renovation of the barge.

ok/dpa