Joseph Malinowski, who earned the nickname “Lieutenant Dan” for refusing to leave his boat ahead of Hurricane Milton, much like the Forrest Gump character of the same name, has survived the storm.
Joseph Malinowski, 54, went viral ahead of Hurricane Helene when TikTok user Tampa Terrance shared a video of him refusing to leave his 20-foot sailboat as the massive storm approached. After weathering Helene with his boat docked near Tampa Bay, Malinoski ignored the pleas of authorities, politicians, and strangers to abandon the boat and seek safety away from Hurricane Milton.
In regular updates posted to TikTok by Tampa Terrance, the sailor didn’t waver from his belief that being on the water was the safest way to ride out the storm.
“The water’s gonna come in, it’s gonna rise. If you’re on land, it’s gonna flood and you’re gonna risk drowning,” Malinowski explained. “I’m in a boat. The boat goes up with the water. So even if the boat goes up 100 feet in the air, I’m going up 100 feet with the water. The safest place in the world to be is on my boat.”
RELATED: INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION CAPTURES INCREDIBLE IMAGES OF HURRICANE MILTON
With more than 100 million combined views on all of his TikTok updates, Lieutenant Dan captured the hearts of America with his “spirit of a true pirate.” His new-found fans became wholeheartedly invested in his story and anxiously awaited news of his fate after Hurricane Milton exited Florida.
@terrenceconcannonUpdate on Dan. Ive offered him a house and hotel, but he is refusing to leave. He is going go stick it out on the boat♬ original sound – Tampa Terrence
NewsNation’s Brian Entin checked on Malinowski late Wednesday, after the worst of the storm passed where his boat was docked. Malinowski confirmed that he was “okay.”
What’s next for “Lieutenant Dan”?
On the heels of his viral fame, a GoFundMe account was started for Malinowski to help him purchase a new boat. Organizers of the fundraiser shared that any money raised over the $100,000 goal would go to help with living expenses.
“If there are any funds left over after replacing Dan’s boat, the money will go towards supporting Dan’s every day living expenses and his general livelihood; things like groceries, furnishings for the boat, and maybe even a gym membership (something he’s wanted for a long time).”
In a live stream that aired Wednesday night, internet personality Adin Ross surprised Malinowski with news that he was going to purchase him a new boat in the price range of $50,000 to $100,000. Ross also promised him a deal with Kick.com deal, a live-streaming service that would allow the sailor to document his adventures and continue to share his life with his fans.
His deal with Kick.com would also provide Lt. Dan, who has been homeless for the last decade, with a passive income. Watch the special moment Malinowski found out that he would be receiving a new boat below.