During Hurricane Milton, Joe Malinowski, 54, also known as “Lt. Dan” on social media, made headlines for his decision to stay aboard his 22-foot sailboat despite the storm. While many Floridians evacuated, Malinowski opted to ride out the hurricane in Tampa Bay.
As the storm passed, he expressed his relief and triumph, raising his arm as the sun rose, claiming, “The hand of God was over Tampa. It wasn’t too bad.” His live-streaming adventures attracted considerable attention, and he showcased his experience on the boat named Seashell.
On Thursday, residents gathered at Bayshore Boulevard to check on Malinowski’s safety, with many expressing their relief upon seeing him after the storm. One resident, Monet Rahall, shared her gratitude for his well-being, stating, “He’s an icon.”
Malinowski’s journey went viral, particularly through TikTok creator Tampa Terrence, who posted videos of him explaining his reasons for staying on the boat. He mentioned, “I put my faith in God. I don’t put my faith in man,” demonstrating his conviction that he was doing the right thing by remaining aboard.
Despite his popularity online, reports note that Malinowski has a background with several criminal charges, including assaulting a police officer. Many viewers criticized his decision to stay during the hurricane, cautioning that it was a life-or-death situation. Local officials, including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, urged residents to evacuate and stressed the dangers of staying in evacuation zones.
Though initial reports indicated he was rescued by police and taken to a shelter, he was found back on his boat a few hours later, defying repeated offers for shelter from concerned individuals. A TikTok video highlighted his steadfast refusal to leave the vessel, leading to a growing online following of over 550,000 individuals and millions of views on his content.
In light of his situation, a GoFundMe campaign titled “Support Lieutenant Dan’s Seafaring Dreams” was launched by Tampa Terrence. The initiative has raised over $37,000 to help Malinowski acquire a new boat, with organizers aiming to support his nautical adventures.