Christopher Pulichene, a marine tourism professional working in boat rentals and watersports operations in the Florida Keys, has announced the launch of the "Respect the Water" Personal Pledge, a public commitment designed to encourage safer boating, stronger environmental stewardship, and more thoughtful outdoor recreation. The pledge comes as more people seek outdoor experiences on the water.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 3,844 recreational boating incidents and 564 boating fatalities in the United States in 2023, with the vast majority of fatal accidents involving operators who had not received boating safety instruction. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also estimates that millions of tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, while Florida's coastal tourism industry supports well over one million jobs statewide, making healthy waterways essential to both local communities and visitors.
For Pulichene, the pledge reflects lessons learned through years of working in guest-focused watersports operations, first aboard cruise ships throughout the Caribbean and now in the Florida Keys. "I've learned that taking an extra few minutes to explain something properly saves time later," said Pulichene. "When people understand how everything works, they feel more comfortable and enjoy themselves more." He believes that good experiences begin with preparation rather than rushing onto the water. "People aren't just paying to use a boat," he said. "They're paying for peace of mind, reliable equipment, and helpful guidance."
Pulichene also believes safety and hospitality should never compete with one another. "Safety always comes first," he said. "Sometimes the best recommendation is choosing an activity that better matches someone's experience level or today's weather conditions." He hopes more people will recognize that small daily choices have lasting effects. "I think operators have an opportunity to teach responsible boating while creating memorable trips," Pulichene said. "Helping people enjoy the water today also means protecting it for future visitors."
The Respect the Water Personal Pledge includes seven specific actions: conducting a complete safety check before every trip; taking extra time to explain safety procedures; leaving every beach or shoreline cleaner than found; encouraging guests to respect weather conditions; continuing to learn about boating safety and environmental stewardship; promoting responsible wildlife viewing; and leading by example through calm communication and patience.
Current data highlights why these habits matter: About 75% of boating fatalities involved operators without boating safety instruction, and millions of tons of plastic pollution threaten marine ecosystems annually. Florida's coastal tourism, supporting over one million jobs, depends on healthy waterways.
Pulichene also provides a "Do It Yourself Toolkit" with simple actions like checking weather forecasts, inspecting life jackets, picking up litter, and keeping distance from wildlife. A 30-day progress tracker helps users build habits week by week. Pulichene encourages anyone who enjoys lakes, rivers, or oceans to take the pledge and share the toolkit. To read the full interview, visit the website here.
