Joseph Malinowski – Who Is ‘Lieutenant Dan’ Joseph Malinowski, the TikTok Star Who Survived Hurricane Milton in Sailboat?
Lieutenant Dan, known off-screen as Joseph Malinowski, became a viral sensation on TikTok when he announced that he wouldn’t be evacuating for Hurricane Milton. Instead, he decided to brave the storm aboard his sailboat.
Who Is ‘Lieutenant Dan’ Joesph Malinowski?
Lieutenant Dan caught the internet’s eye when University of Tampa senior Terrence Concannon shared videos of the 54-year-old steadfastly declining to leave his home, even with alerts about the looming dangerous storm. Since then, he has amassed over 575,000 followers on TikTok, and his most recent video has garnered over 6 million views.
Terrance shared that the nickname “Lieutenant Dan” is inspired by the veteran amputee character from Forrest Gump. In an interview with NBC News, he mentioned that Joseph lost his left leg at the age of 16 due to a car accident and referred to the nickname as the “character (he portrays) on TikTok.”
“I put my faith in God. “I don’t put my faith in man,” Joseph explained in a video posted before the storm. “God told me to come out here and get a boat. I came out here and got a boat. Everything he’s been telling me the last few days, I’m doing the right thing. He got my back. I’m in good shape. I ain’t sweating it.”
On October 9, 2024, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor held a press conference where she shared that officers had successfully rescued the TikTok star and brought him to a shelter, as reported by WFLA. Surprisingly, just a few hours later, reporters discovered him back at his boat.
“Dan is not leaving the boat for the hurricane. He is staying on that boat. “There’s been many attempts to get him off this boat,” Terrance explained in another video. “People have offered houses, hotel rooms, apartments, he will not leave.”
Is ‘Lieutenant Dan’ Joesph Malinowski Safe After the Storm?
A group of worried residents from Tampa reached out to Joseph following the storm on October 10, 2024, as reported by USA Today. “You’re okay! “I’m really relieved to see you safe,” said Monet Rahall, a nearby resident. “He’s a legend. I came across him online and just had to meet him in person.” “God’s protection was with Tampa,” Joseph shared with the publication, raising his arm in celebration. “It wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched, successfully raising over $40,000 as of this writing. “We’re coming together to support our wonderful friend, Lieutenant Dan, who lives on a sailboat and truly embodies the spirit of a pirate.
“He’s one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, always willing to help others without asking for anything in return,” the campaign explains. “Unfortunately, his current boat is in rough shape, and we want to surprise him with a new one so he can continue his adventures on the water. Let’s unite and show our appreciation for this modern-day pirate by helping him acquire a new vessel to explore the seas!”
In a subsequent update, the fundraiser mentioned that any remaining funds after purchasing a new boat for Dan could help cover his daily living costs. They added, “This includes his basic needs like groceries, items for the boat, and possibly even a gym membership, which he has been hoping for quite some time.”
@lieutenantdan3 I’m really grateful for y’all! #lieutenantdan #lieutenant #tampastrong
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