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 that guide both his professional and personal approach to coastal recreation: conduct a complete safety check before every trip on the water; take extra time to explain safety procedures clearly instead of rushing guests; leave every beach, dock, or shoreline cleaner than he found it by removing litter whenever possible; encourage guests to respect weather conditions and never pressure anyone to participate beyond their comfort level; continue learning about boating safety, local waterways, and environmental stewardship every year; promote responsible wildlife viewing by keeping a safe distance from marine animals and encouraging others to do the same; and lead by example through calm communication, patience, and respect for everyone sharing the water.
The initiative also provides a "Do It Yourself Toolkit" with simple habits such as checking the weather forecast before leaving home, telling a friend or family member where you are going, inspecting life jackets before every outing, picking up at least one piece of litter every time you visit the water, keeping a respectful distance from wildlife, learning one new boating or water safety rule each week, carrying reusable water bottles instead of disposable plastic bottles, slowing down in unfamiliar waterways, offering helpful advice to new boaters, and spending five minutes after every trip reflecting on improvements. A 30-day progress tracker guides users through weekly goals, from completing safety checks to sharing lessons with others.
Pulichene encourages anyone who enjoys lakes, rivers, or oceans to take the pledge, personalize it, and share the toolkit with friends, family members, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Small actions repeated consistently can improve safety, protect waterways, and create better experiences for everyone. To read the full interview, visit the website here.
