In mid-September, University of Tampa senior Terrence Concannon was on his usual walk when he spotted a man in a sailboat being pulled out to sea by strong winds. The man, Joseph Malinowski, a 54-year-old resident of Tampa, expressed frustration that no one had offered help, saying, “Not a single person would help me.” However, Concannon stepped in, managing to secure a rope and pull Malinowski safely back to shore.
This chance meeting led to a viral sensation, as Concannon documented Malinowski’s determination to stay aboard his boat through Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, captivating millions on TikTok. Hurricane Milton is rapidly approaching Tampa, expected to hit either late Wednesday or early Thursday, prompting concern from followers and local officials over Malinowski’s refusal to abandon his sailboat for safer grounds.
With forecasts predicting a dangerous 15-foot storm surge, officials have urged those in evacuation zones to leave, warning of potentially deadly conditions. Malinowski, recently dubbed “Lieutenant Dan” on TikTok, has lived on his 20-foot sailboat at the Tampa Bay Harbor after experiencing homelessness for the past decade.
After losing a leg in a car accident at 16, Malinowski embraced the nickname likened to a character from “Forrest Gump,” who also faced adversity from storms. Concannon’s initial TikTok post featuring Malinowski during Hurricane Helene has garnered over 1.2 million views, drawing significant public interest and concern for Malinowski’s well-being.
As Hurricane Helene approached, Concannon continued to check in on Malinowski, who appeared to take it all in stride. While parts of Florida faced significant damage, Malinowski claimed his boat remained largely unscathed, stating, “My boat’s in better shape now than it was before, because it got washed.”
Concannon has shared over 24 updates on Malinowski’s situation, as well as launching a GoFundMe that has raised more than $22,000 to assist him. Malinowski expressed gratitude for the support, stating his hopes to upgrade to a larger boat to make it his home.
Despite the newfound support, Concannon and many others remain apprehensive about Malinowski’s fate with Hurricane Milton poised to be the most severe hurricane Tampa has experienced in over a century.