Florida has recently been captivated by a story that has gone viral on social media. Joseph Malinowski, who has gained fame as "Lieutenant Dan," bravely faced the wrath of Hurricane Milton aboard his small boat anchored in Tampa Bay. This past Wednesday, many were left wondering: did Lieutenant Dan manage to survive the storm's onslaught?
A TikTok user, Tampa Terrence (@terrenceconcannon), played a significant role in bringing Malinowski's daring adventure to the internet's attention. He shared a video showcasing Malinowski's unwavering resolve to remain on his 20-foot vessel, despite repeated warnings from authorities about the impending danger posed by Hurricane Milton.
As the storm loomed closer to Tampa, countless residents sought shelter elsewhere. Yet, Malinowski firmly declared that he wouldn't leave his boat, as he believed divine intervention prevented him from doing so. Like the fictional Lieutenant Dan Taylor from the movie Forrest Gump (1994), directed by Robert Zemeckis, Joseph Malinowski was determined to challenge whatever nature had in store.
The Tampa police made several visits to persuade him, but his response was consistent: "There's no reason to worry. The storm will pass in a few hours. God told me not to leave the ship. This is the safest place as long as the waters stay away."
Followers on social media feared the worst, speculating about Malinowski's fate as Hurricane Milton, initially dubbed a "monster," made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm. Terrence cautioned viewers to be wary of misinformation online, but confirmed that Lieutenant Dan weathered the storm in his boat. He recently conducted a live stream, allegedly from inside the vessel.
Supporters of this real-life Tampa character have set up a fundraising account to help him achieve his dream of owning a powerful boat. "We can get you a boat, a nice one between $50,000 and $100,000, and start a full-fledged live-streaming business to showcase your travels and adventures," Terrence and his team promised.
Malinowski, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude: "I don't know what to say. Thank you! Bless you all. That's my dream, that's my dream," he shared from Tampa, in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.