Christopher Pulichene, a marine tourism professional with experience in boat rentals and watersports operations in the Florida Keys, has announced the launch of the "Respect the Water" Personal Pledge. The initiative is a public commitment designed to encourage safer boating, stronger environmental stewardship, and more thoughtful outdoor recreation.
The pledge arrives 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. 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: conduct a complete safety check before every trip; take extra time to explain safety procedures; leave every beach, dock, or shoreline cleaner than found; encourage guests to respect weather conditions; continue learning about boating safety and environmental stewardship; promote responsible wildlife viewing; and lead by example through calm communication and patience.
The pledge highlights why these habits matter right now. The U.S. Coast Guard reported 3,844 recreational boating accidents in 2023, with about 75% of fatalities occurring where the operator had not completed boating safety instruction. NOAA reports millions of tons of plastic pollution reach the ocean annually, threatening marine ecosystems. Florida's coastal tourism economy supports more than one million jobs, making healthy waterways critical.
Pulichene also provides a "Do It Yourself Toolkit" for anyone to adopt safer boating habits without spending money. Tips include checking the weather forecast before leaving home, telling a friend where you are going, inspecting life jackets before every outing, picking up litter at the water, keeping a respectful distance from wildlife, learning one new boating safety rule each week, carrying reusable water bottles, slowing down in unfamiliar waterways, offering helpful advice to new boaters, and spending five minutes after each trip thinking about improvements.
A 30-day progress tracker is also available: Week 1 focuses on safety checks and learning a new tip; Week 2 involves removing litter and sharing a water safety lesson; Week 3 emphasizes patient, informed decisions; and Week 4 reviews progress and commits to continuing habits. Pulichene encourages anyone who enjoys lakes, rivers, or oceans to take the pledge, personalize it, and share the toolkit with friends and family. Small actions repeated consistently can improve safety, protect waterways, and create better experiences for everyone.
For the full interview, visit the website here.
