Lieutenant Dan, a sailboat-dwelling Florida man who went viral for refusing to leave his ship, rode out Hurricane Milton in Tampa Bay without incident, despite claims by the mayor that he had been rescued and taken to a shelter. The storm swelled to a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds. Despite the dangerous conditions, Lieutenant Dan, whose real name is Joseph Malinowski, remained on his boat throughout the storm.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor insisted during a press conference that Lieutenant Dan had been rescued and taken to a shelter by Tampa police. However, Lieutenant Dan was subsequently spotted on his sailboat in Tampa Bay, contradicting the mayor’s claims. NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin tweeted a photo of Malinowski on his boat and confirmed that he had not gone to a shelter, as previously stated by the mayor. This led to confusion and speculation about the whereabouts and safety of the sailor during the storm.
After the storm had passed, Entin returned to check on Lieutenant Dan and found him on his sailboat, which was tied to a dock in Tampa Bay. Despite the challenging conditions during Hurricane Milton, Malinowski appeared calm and unfazed as he spoke with the reporter. He assured Entin that he was doing fine and stated that he was stuck on the boat but was not in immediate danger. Malinowski’s resilience and refusal to evacuate to higher ground garnered attention on social media and news outlets.
During a live stream with TikTokers, Malinowski recounted his experiences during the storm, noting that the strong winds had caused his boat to hit the wall a few times but that he was otherwise unharmed. Despite the challenges he faced, Malinowski remained upbeat and reassured his followers that he was still alive and well. One TikToker even set up a GoFundMe page for Malinowski, highlighting his determination and survival instincts during the hurricane.
Throughout the ordeal, Lieutenant Dan remained steadfast in his decision to stay on his sailboat, citing that it was the safest place to be during a flood. He likened his situation to that of Noah from biblical stories and expressed confidence in his ability to weather the storm as long as the water stayed out of his boat. Malinowski’s determination to remain on his boat despite the risks showcased his resilience and courage in the face of adversity. Overall, Lieutenant Dan’s story during Hurricane Milton served as a reminder of the strength and resourcefulness of individuals in the face of natural disasters.
