Brookhaven wants ferry to tie up in town

Live, from Patchogue (or Fire Island or Port Jefferson)!

Brookhaven Town is making a pitch to "Saturday Night Live" stars Pete Davidson and Colin Jost to moor the retired Staten Island Ferry boat they own in Long Island waters as a floating entertainment venue.

Supervisor Edward P. Romaine floated the idea in an April 4 letter to the comics and their business partner, Paul Italia. Romaine touted Brookhaven as a tourist destination with "bustling downtown villages" not far from the Hamptons and North Fork vineyards.

"While we are well aware of your affinity for your native Staten Island, we welcome you to consider bringing this iconic vessel to a Long Island venue such as Port Jefferson, Patchogue or even Fire Island," Romaine wrote in the letter, a copy of which was provided to Newsday. 

"With easy access to New York City via the Long Island Rail Road and equipped to handle lodging needs for out-of-towners, these villages have all of the intangibles to be a new home for your innovative business concept. ... We are confident that Long Islanders seeking entertainment will help keep this new venture 'afloat.' " 

Attempts to reach Davidson and Jost through their representatives were unsuccessful. Italia did not return text messages seeking comment.

Davidson and Jost — both native Staten Islanders — reportedly submitted the winning $280,000 bid in January to buy the ferry boat John F. Kennedy, which was decommissioned last summer. The vessel reportedly no longer was seaworthy.

Published reports said Davidson, who starred in the 2020 comedy "The King of Staten Island," planned to repair the boat and use it as an entertainment club — but first he needed a place to dock it.

Enter Brookhaven and Long Island, which Romaine said has a $6 billion a year tourism industry ideal for making Davidson's dream come true.

"We will provide you an escort with local tourism and elected officials and identify the several reasons why our home is the best location for the JFK to be christened in its new capacity," Romaine wrote.

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.