The BUI Field Test Video That Inspired a Florida Parody – Loose Cannon
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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
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:
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. 1 Finger to Nose TestIn 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:
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 TestThe 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:
Officers look for signs of impairment, such as difficulty maintaining rhythm or confusion in following instructions. Hand Coordination TestThe 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:
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