Tampa's 'Lieutenant Dan' shares how he battled Hurricane Milton on his 20ft boat: 'Storm didn’t scare me'

TAMPA, FLORIDA: Joseph Malinowski, a Florida man better known as "Lieutenant Dan", captivated TikTok viewers globally as they anxiously awaited the outcome of his decision to endure Hurricane Milton aboard his small sailboat in Tampa.

In a recent interview with Fox News, "Lieutenant Dan" recounted his thrilling experience of weathering Hurricane Milton while anchored off the coast in his cherished boat.

'Lieutenant Dan' says the 'storm didn’t scare' him

"I wasn’t going anywhere," Malinowski told Fox News. "I never planned on leaving. The storm didn’t scare me because I didn’t see it. I didn’t write it. I didn’t make it happen," he added.

Despite pleas from residents, law enforcement, and Tampa's Mayor Jane Castor to evacuate and seek shelter, Malinowski decided to remain, anchoring his boat to Bayshore Boulevard near Tampa General Hospital. He had previously weathered Hurricane Helene aboard the same vessel. 

Malinowski's nickname "Lieutenant Dan" reportedly stems from his resemblance to the character of the same name in 'Forrest Gump', which was portrayed by Gary Sinise. The resemblance is particularly fitting as the Tampa resident has lost part of his left leg and relies on crutches for mobility.

"It’s a boat," he said. "You keep the water out of the boat, you’ll be fine."

During a press conference on Wednesday, October 9, Castor reported that "Lieutenant Dan" from Tampa had been moved to a shelter. However, live TikTok broadcasts and news interviews suggested he remained aboard his boat, declining to disembark.

"Did the wind come through heavy? Yeah. Was it crazy for a little while? Yes, it was. Did it bother me? No, ‘cause I knew what I was doing," Malinowski said.

"I know I’d be fine," he added. "God had his finger on me."

Hurricane Milton struck Florida as a Category 3 storm on Wednesday evening, surprising the Tampa Bay area, which was still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, had previously swept through Southeast Florida in late September, causing extensive damage to homes and resulting in over 200 fatalities across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Internet calls 'Lieutenant Dan' a 'brave man'

After the video of "Lieutenant Dan" in his boat went viral, netizens took to Facebook to praise the "brave" individual.

One wrote, "I know partly how you feel brother, keep your head up and keep trying."

Another added, "Idc he has a good energy about himself and we need more of it "

One commentator remarked, "His testimony is all that matters."

"He was very sure nothing was gonna happen. He said god told him and look nothing happened I’ll give him that poin so he deserves something (little fame and money from news or something) and I hope he always thanks god cuz god is lov," another Facebook user wrote.

One person stated, "Hes his own man.let him be and have some joy in his life."

"He's a brave man. Glad he made it," another added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.