A one-legged Tampa Bay man has built a fanatical following online for opting to stay in his sailboat because God told him to as the deadly Hurricane Milton approaches Florida.
Joseph Malinowski, a veteran nicknamed "Lieutenant Dan" by the internet in reference to Gary Sinise's character in Forrest Gump, initially went viral on TikTok for telling user @terrenceconcannon he's staying in his 20-foot sailboat in Tampa Harbor through the storm because of God's encouragement.
"God told me to come out here and get a boat, I came out here and got a boat," Malinowski said. "Everything that he's been telling me over the last two days is I'm doing the right thing, he's got my back. I'm in good shape. I'm not sweating it."
I've been following this lieutenant Dan lore for a few weeks now and he is planning to face the Cat 5 hurricane Milton on his 20-foot sailboat in the Tampa Bay
— Jack (not a burner) (@_jackmcpherson) October 8, 2024
I will be devastated if he doesn't make it but I believe he has the heart to survive pic.twitter.com/sGVva8bc8O
When asked if he's going to wear a life jacket, Malinowski said, "Hell no!," and if he has to swim, he said he can swim in a circle with his leg.
"Even if the boat goes 100 feet in the air, I'm going to be 100 feet in the air in the water," Malinowski added.
After going viral, Malinowski told X user @BrianEntin, a journalist at News Nation, that "as long as water stays out of the boat, I'll be fine."
"The safest place to be is on a boat during a flood; we learned that with Noah," Malinowski shared. "Everyone that stayed on land drowned."
For everyone worried about "Lieutenant Dan" - I just talked to him. His real name is Joseph Malinowski.
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) October 9, 2024
He says he is going to stay on his sailboat in the Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/UJWE7EAazt
He also reassured viewers and skeptics alike that he's not "concerned," "suicidal," or "nutty."
"I'm putting it in God's hands and taking it out of mine and man," Malinowski added.
Malinowski also said he appreciates the concern and loves all of his newfound friends.
X users had mixed reactions to Lt. Dan's plan to ride out what's predicted to be one of the deadliest Atlantic storms in history. One user said, "I shake my head at anyone who tries to outsmart a storm but I am absolutely rooting for Lieutenant Dan."
I shake my head at anyone who tries to outsmart a storm but I am absolutely rooting for Lieutenant Dan
— That Mom Tho (@mom_tho) October 9, 2024
Another said they were "intrigued" by the Florida man's mission and thinks he will survive, unlike his boat.
Super intrigued by Lieutenant Dan deciding to ride this out on the water.. many feel that he won't survive this... My money is on Lieutenant to make it out. I don't have the same confidence in the boat however. We shall see #LieutenantDan #hurricaneMiltom https://t.co/cL9oNvPU6a
— Fame Santana 🦆 (@Fame_252) October 9, 2024
Another told X users Lt. Dan is "an impoverished, homeless veteran," and "all he has" is his sailboat. She added that she hopes he lives through the storm.
For more context, Lieutenant Dan is an impoverished, homeless veteran amputee with only one leg. His little sailboat is all he has. I think he's making the wrong choice, but I sincerely hope he makes it through alive. https://t.co/qsgx2LBIRD
— Leah McElrath (@leahmcelrath) October 8, 2024
X user @5Dalek was adamant that Lt. Dan will not survive.
Ngl I respect Lieutenant Dan but there's no way he survives
— michael (@5Dalek) October 9, 2024
While @Hillbilly Pixie was certain he will survive.
Mark my words, when Tampa is flattened, Lieutenant Dan is going to be standing above the rubble with a Pall Mall hanging off his lip digging his boat out of the mud. I believe in you, Lt. Dan 🙏 https://t.co/8Es0EAjXeE
— Appalachian Pixie (@HillbillyPixie) October 9, 2024
One X user was shocked to learn Andrew Tate, who offered Malinowski $100K if he survives, was also a fan.
Andrew Tate knows who lieutenant dan is... this world is a simulation 😭 https://t.co/7RUbQlgZWM
— bri (@missbridgetta) October 9, 2024
Hurricane Milton was downgraded to a Category 4 storm on Tuesday but is still expected to cause devastating damage to the Tampa region of Florida.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
