Harbour Town Yacht Basin, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, is ready for your reservation with newly renovated docks, upgraded electrical service and onSpot WiFi, also a CRUISERS NET SPONSOR. And, as always, numerous activities at the Sea Pines Resort are offered for your enjoyment, as you will see in the Event Schedule below. Hilton Head Island is absolutely marvelous any time of year.
There is always plenty to do around Charlotte Harbor. While berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, you are certain to enjoy visiting Western Florida’s beautiful Charlotte Harbor/Peace River.
Fishermen’s Village MARCH Calendars of Entertainment/Events
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
“I’m down with Fish & Wildlife’s proposed new testing procedures,” said Michael Arrieta. “I know I can pass this one.”
I don’t often tout YouTube videos, but this one was different because the material it covered has been consequential. Florida law was actually changed after state leaders saw how a misguided “mullet sheriff,” as some used to call Fish & Wildlife officers, could absolutely ruin some poor smuck’s life.
Except, in this case they picked the wrong schmuck.
Michael Christian Arrieta, 36, of Jupiter might have been a hapless boat handler, but nothing in the body camera footage seemed to suggest he was drunk. And, after he was handcuffed and hauled away in front his young family, he went on to blow 0.0 on the jail breathalizer. Ariega also happened to be a wealthy guy, part of Governor Ron DeSantis’ inner circle, a deacon of his church…yada, yada, yada.
The next thing you know: Florida has banned police from any further random boarding stops for a “safety inspection.” As of May 2025, state law was changed to require that police have probable cause of a violation or safety issue to pull anyone over.
YouTuber Tells the Story
To me, there was a second important issue—the ridiculous field sobriety test used to arrest Ariega. YouTuber John Lang concluded that such tests are designed to create evidence against you where none would exist otherwise, certainly not to prove anyone’s innocence.
The case inspired the Loose Cannon parody below. It wasn’t labeled as such in its first go-around, and some readers actually believed the story, which says a lot about Florida, doesn’t it?
YES, PEOPLE. THIS IS PARODY…
Florida Considers New BUI Field Test After Wrongful Arrest
Florida Fish & Wildlife officers were taken aback last week when Governor Ron DeSantis proposed eliminating random vessel safety inspections without probable cause. For sure, stripping the state’s “mullet sheriffs” of their boarding powers would constitute a drastic change in marine law enforcement.
DeSantis cited the arrest of Michael Christian Arrieta, 36, of Jupiter, who was handcuffed and taken to jail last year for boating under the influence, even though a breathalyzer test later showed he had zero alcohol in his system.
“People who are just out enjoying themselves when there’s no indication that anything is wrong, they should not be subjected to these intensive searches,” DeSantis said during a visit to the Miami International Boat Show. He called the existing law “a wrong that has been an issue in this state for far too long.”
Arrieta, a self-described Christian capitalist and church deacon, was hauled away after failing a field sobriety test administered by Jared Stiltner, now the world’s most famous Fish & Wildlife officer. Body-cam video of the arrest went viral.
Yesterday, Fish & Wildlife Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto of Coral Gables proposed a compromise to the governor that would preserve his officers’ power to board recreational vessels while honoring what he called “the Free State of Florida vibe.”
Barreto’s proposal would eliminate the three sobriety tests¹ failed by Arrieta in favor of a single, fluid test procedure:
Right arm straight out, palm down. Repeat with left arm.
Turn right palm up. Repeat with left palm.
Bring right arm across chest. Repeat with left arm.
Put right arm across front of hips, touch left hip. Repeat with left arm on right hip.
Place right hand on right hip. Repeat with left hand.
Sway hips from side to side to the beat, repeat three times.
Jump, landing a quarter turn to the right.
Repeat.
Barreto said the test would be conducted to the tune of an upbeat song called “Macarena,” which would be played by Fish & Wildlife officers at the scene. An operator’s performance would be graded on a one-to-ten scale with one indicating totally wasted and ten indicating high school cheerleader.
The so-called Macarena moves would also be included on the curriculum for Florida’s Boating Safety Course, which is mandatory for all operators born after January 1, 1988.
“This new test procedure is not only more streamlined than what we now have, but it’s also a shout-out to Florida’s Hispanic heritage,” Barreto said, referring to the Spanish pop duo Los del Rio of “Macarena” fame.
“As a Puerto Rican, I appreciate this much needed reform” said Arrieta, founder and CEO of Garden City, a purpose-driven buyout holding company.
“The next time I get caught speeding sober through a manatee zone, I’m confident that I could draw upon my cultural roots to ace the test. Boricua, baybee!”
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
In this test, the boater is asked to touch the tip of their nose with their index finger while keeping their eyes closed and head tilted back. Officers look for accuracy and coordination, which can be affected by alcohol or drugs. The procedure is as follows:
Step 1: The boater tilts their head back and closes their eyes.
Step 2: The officer instructs the boater to touch their nose with their left or right index finger in a specific sequence.
Step 3: The boater must accurately touch the tip of their nose with the correct finger.
Officers observe for signs of impairment such as missing the nose, using the wrong hand, or leaving the finger on the nose instead of returning it to the side.
Palm Pat Test
The palm pat test is unique to BUI investigations and is designed to assess a boater’s coordination and ability to follow instructions. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: The boater extends one hand, palm up.
Step 2: The other hand is placed palm down on top of the extended hand.
Step 3: The top hand pats the bottom hand, then rotates to pat with the back of the hand, increasing speed.
Step 4: The boater must count “1, 2” in rhythm with the patting.
Officers look for signs of impairment, such as difficulty maintaining rhythm or confusion in following instructions.
Hand Coordination Test
The hand coordination test is another exercise adapted specifically for BUI investigations. This test mimics the nine-step walk and turn exercise used in DUI investigations but is performed while seated. Here’s the procedure:
Step 1: The boater makes a fist with each hand, placing the left fist on the center of their chest and the right fist against the left.
Step 2: The boater moves their fists in a step-like fashion, counting “one” to “four.”
Step 3: The boater claps their hands three times.
Step 4: The boater then reverses the steps, counting “five” to “eight.”
Step 5: The boater places their hands on their lap.
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
The author is deputy editor of Marine Industry News, a U.K. based business-to-business outlet. This story was published earlier today and is reprinted here with permission. It has been updated to correct a Loose Cannon editing mistake about MarineMax building boats. It is a dealer. Sorry Anna.
By ANNA CUMMINS
Investment firm Levin Capital Strategies, a top 10 shareholder of MarineMax, has issued a statement calling on the company’s board of directors to initiate “an immediate review of strategic alternatives” after it refused to engage with a buyout offer earlier this month.
MarineMax is a top player in the U.S. marine market place, dealer for boats such as SeaRay, Boston Whaler, Aquila Power Catamarans and Azimut Yachts.¹ It aquired Island Global Yachting marinas in 2022 with IGY’s 23 locations in the U.S., Caribbean and Europe. It owns Fraser Yachts and Northrop & Johnson brokerages.
The company also operates Marine Max Vacations, a charter operation with an Aquila fleet.
The statement comes after US hedge fund Donerail Group—a major shareholder in the firm – offered to buy MarineMax for $35 per share in an all-cash deal worth around $1 billion. MarineMax swiftly rejected the buyout offer, calling it “unsolicited.”
Donerail then responded with a blistering open letter, calling out an entrenched “culture of nepotism” at MarineMax. The letter, signed by William Wyatt, managing partner at the Donerail Group, urges shareholders to vote against CEO Brett McGill’s re-election as a director at the company’s upcoming annual meeting on 3 March 2026. The letter says: “We deserve a board that acts like owners and not simply as caretakers of an eroding family legacy.”
Brett McGill, son of MarineMax founder Bill McGill, took over as CEO in 2018
Donerail says it has made numerous attempts to engage with the board, all of which have been “met with silence, procedural manoeuvring, and outright obstruction.”
Levin Capital, which owns over 3 percent of MarineMax stock, says it believes the MarineMax board is “obligated to rigorously explore all available paths to maximising shareholder value, including by engaging with Donerail following its recent submission of an all-cash offer.”
Levin Capital Statement
Levin argues that the $35 per share all-cash offer from Donerail is fully financed and represents a viable path forward, subject to customary due diligence.
The statement continues:
Levin Capital has consistently advocated for a value-maximization process at MarineMax, pre-dating the current interest. The firm believes further delay on the part of the board will force shareholders to hold directors accountable at future annual meetings.
In order to try to help MarineMax understand shareholders’ views and the opportunities at hand, Levin Capital has communicated its feedback directly to the company’s leadership. The firm is willing to continue to provide feedback and suggestions to support a timely, well-run review of strategic alternatives.
Showdown in March
MarineMax’s share price is up 8 per cent so far this year, supported by the company’s report last month that same-store sales increased 10 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.
However, MarineMax shares have fallen 37 per cent in the past five years, while the broader S&P 500 index has gained 82 percent.
MarineMax shares rose to their highest level in a year after the news of Donerail’s proposed takeover was published.
The annual meeting on March 3, 2026 will give shareholders the chance to have their say. At the meeting, shareholders will vote on board composition, with three of the company’s seven directors, including CEO Brett McGill, standing for election.
Loose Cannon has a cooperative agreement with the folks at Marine Industry News, a media company based in Gosport, England.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.
Forget computer-aided design, Steve Seaton drew this sketch for a potential customer on a restaurant tablecloth one evening in 1996. He paid the restaurant for the tablecloth.
The author is managing partner of Seattle Yachts, which teamed up with Seaton to relaunch the Northwest Yachts, a line of trawler yachts.
By PETER WHITING
Stephen R. Seaton, yacht designer, builder, and lifelong student of the sea passed away on Wednesday, leaving behind a legacy that spans more than five decades and more than 550 custom yacht projects.
He was one of the rare designers equally respected in both sail and power, and a man whose life was defined by creativity, discipline, conviction, and an unwavering love of boats.
Steve began professionally designing yachts in 1969, launching a career that would carry him across nearly every segment of the marine industry. From America’s Cup 12-Meter yachts to 94-knot racing powerboats, from eight-foot dinghies to 150-foot custom motor yachts—his work defied categories.
Few designers could move so confidently between performance sailboats, long-range passagemakers, commercial vessels, and Coast Guard-certified passenger craft and earn admiration in every arena.
Born in a small farming town in southern Illinois, the son of a U.S. Army officer, Steve spent much of his childhood living overseas. Those early experiences shaped his worldview and instilled in him a sense of adventure. When the time came to serve, he chose the United States Navy, a natural extension of his lifelong fascination with the sea.
He later became a Life Member of the Navy League, reflecting on a deep and enduring connection to maritime service.
His passion for yacht design began early. At just 15 years old, while living in Seattle, he filled notebooks with boat sketches long before he could earn a living doing so. That early talent led to formative summers from 1963 through 1965 working for Bill Garden, Seattle’s premier yacht designer, along with part-time work for Ed Monk Sr. Those apprenticeships shaped his technical foundation and design sensibility.
In one of the defining decisions of his life, Steve turned down a contract to play professional baseball at the major league level. Instead, he chose yacht design, a difficult decision that reflected a deep conviction about his calling.
The experience he gained under Bill Garden and Ed Monk opened the door to Morgan Yacht Corporation in St. Petersburg, Florida, then the largest production boatbuilder in the United States. Working directly under Charley Morgan, Steve joined as employee number five in a company that would eventually grow to roughly 650 employees.
In the late 1970’s, Steve stepped away from hands-on boatbuilding to focus exclusively on design. He partnered with Chuck Neville to form SEATON-NEVILLE Naval Architects in Clearwater, Florida. The firm thrived for more than 11 years before both men amicably dissolved the partnership to pursue individual goals. It was 1988 when Steve returned to the Pacific Northwest and opened a small design office dedicated to special projects. He preferred close, direct relationships with his clients and maintained a deliberately personal practice.
His breadth of experience allowed him to work across custom and production projects alike, always guided by proportion, balance, and an uncompromising eye for detail.
In 1995, Steve was among the founding group that included Bruce Kessler and Bud Lemieux, establishing Northern Marine in Anacortes, Washington. He also completed an extensive series of designs for Delta Marine in Seattle. The first yachts built by Delta were Seaton designs, including the 70-foot Zopolite. Another standout project, the 110-foot Onika, won “Best in Class” in ShowBoats magazine shortly after her launch.
Seaton-designed vessels were known for simply looking and feeling right. From hull lines to interior décor, his boats carried a sense of harmony and purpose. Over more than 550 custom projects, he built a reputation for sophistication and integrity—there were no shortcuts and no “Walmart-type designs” in his portfolio.
His client list included lifelong sailors, discerning yacht owners, commercial operators, and even a President of the United States once sought his advice on the boatbuilding industry.
Stephen R. Seaton will be remembered not only for the vessels that bear his signature, but for the authenticity and passion he brought to every project. His lines will continue to grace waters around the world, a lasting testament to a life devoted wholly to the sea.
LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.
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A Major Nor’easter is set to undergo rapid intensification—or “bombogenesis”—off the Mid-Atlantic coast, creating a high-impact blizzard for the Northeast corridor.
Sunday Morning: Light to moderate snow begins across the Mid-Atlantic.
Sunday Evening – Monday Morning: The storm reaches peak intensity. Snowfall rates are expected to eclipse 2–3 inches per hour.
Monday Afternoon: Conditions are projected to improve as the system exits the region.
Key Impacts
I-95 Corridor (Baltimore to Boston): Expect impossible travel conditions due to whiteouts and heavy snow. Some local areas along the NJ Coast could see over 2 feet of snow!
New York City & Long Island: For the first time since 2017, a Blizzard Warning has been issued for NYC, with 12–18 inches of snow forecast.
Boston & Southeast New England: Total accumulations could reach 1–2 feet with locally higher amounts, accompanied by wind gusts of 40–70 mph.
Mid-Atlantic (Delaware & Maryland): Significant snowfall and high winds are expected, particularly on the Eastern Shore.
In addition to Blizzard conditions, the combination of heavy, wet snow and high winds is likely to down trees and power lines. Moderate to major flooding is also a concern during high tide for coastal communities from New Jersey to Massachusetts.
Offshore
Storm to Hurricane-Force winds are expected within 240 nm of the center with seas building 10-13 meters (33-43 feet) over the next 24-48 hours.
Time is a precious commodity—thanks for spending some of yours SPARRING with me! ~J
If you’ve just joined our engaging little community, please read SPARS & SPARRING, my introductory piece.….and share it, if you are so inclined….that works wonders.
As this lands in your in-box I am boarding a water taxi on the island of San Cristobal en route to Santa Cruz, Galápagos, where my itinerary includes hiking to the stunning view in the movie Master and Commander where the Ship’s Doctor sees their nemesis. If you have not absorbed that production, it’s worth its salt, as is the book by Patrick O’Brian. One of the many attractions of those destinations.
Borrowed from Galápagos Conservancy.
I need to thank the tremendous wealth of knowledge that is Captain Bob Wallace whose five extended sails to that archipelago on research vessels make me think, nay, know, I’ll want to stay far longer.
Photos next week! I hope all is well; I’ve tuned out from the balance of the planet to focus on the peaceful and extraordinary.
If you’re not already familiar with my website, do click it! I am a self-published author and ghostwriter, perhaps your story needs telling??!! Everybody Has A Story. There are also lots more SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE stories in the archives and those can be found on my homepage here:
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ACE Basin Property Tour (Edisto Island) | Friday, March 6th, 9 AM – 12 PM | Join SCDNR staff on a tour of the ACE Basin to explore the cultural and natural resources found within Botany Bay Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. 
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