"We have a saying in our family," longtime Oregon representative Earl Blumenauer once shared. "No whining on the yacht." While the yacht in question may be one of metaphorical construction, representing the often underappreciated good fortune to be born in the first world, the sentiment also applies to literal luxury liners. For more on the subject, we turn to Feadship, a Dutch shipyard known for groundbreaking custom yachts. Of course, 2020 has been hard for everyone, regardless of their yacht ownership status. In order to end the year on a positive note, Feadship has prodded its most innovative designers to push the parameters of possibility. Judging by their first offering, it looks like the designers got the memo. Dubbed "Project Freddie Gump," the 109-meter maritime mammoth draws inspiration from an unlikely pairing of muses: Freddie Mercury and Forrest Gump. "They combined a fictional character and a real character to dream up the client – for the down to earth side it was Forest Gump and for the wilder side it was Freddie Mercury," explains Marsha Van Buitenen, Feadship sales director. "With that, Freddie Gump as born." The influence of the legendary Queen singer is evident in amenities like the piano lounge and the ship's orange mirrored windows, a tribute to Mercury's sunglasses. Designed for wild parties with hundreds of people, Project Freddie Gump's dedication to Mercurial hedonism is readily apparent. Forrest Gump's inspiration, however, is not so obvious until the hidden pop-up ping-pong table emerges from the bow. Realizing that even the stoutest 40mm ball would be no match for the wind, the mensa ex machina is then shielded by a circular glass wall. Entering through a glass door, partygoers partake of panoramic perspectives as they play ping-pong on the prow. "We feel like we can bring some joy to people's life by showcasing the possibilities that we are able to do right now," says Feadship marketing director Farouk Nefzi. With the launch of Project Freddie Gump, Feadship is really making waves. Just remember: No whining.

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