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Who is Lt. Dan? TikTok sailor survived Hurricane Milton on a boat

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Who is Lt. Dan? TikTok sailor survived Hurricane Milton on a boat

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If you were scrolling through #TampaTok during Hurricane Milton, you probably came across Joe Malinowski, better known on social media as “Lt. Dan” is known.

Malinowski, 54, insisted on giving Milton a ride on his 22-foot sailboat. Many Floridians evacuated the state in droves to avoid the impending storm, while others, like Malinowski, took their chances.

He said he had no problems during the storm and raised his arm in triumph as the sun rose over Tampa Bay.

The tattooed sailor had been live-streaming his adventures aboard the Seashell for several days, attracting media attention because he was planning to be moored in port when Milton passed by. “The hand of God was upon Tampa,” Malinowski said Thursday morning. “It wasn't that bad.”

Hurricane Milton: Hurricane Milton leaves destruction in its wake, but no “worst case scenario”: Live updates

Fans gathered to see Malinowski after the storm: “You did it”

On Thursday morning, a growing stream of Tampa residents made their way to Bayshore Boulevard to check on Malinowski, whose “Lt. The nickname “Dan” refers to a disabled film character from Forrest Gump. He is missing his lower left leg. “You did it! I'm so glad you're safe,” 28-year-old Monet Rahall of Tampa shouted to Malinowski. Rahall said she had to check on Malinowski herself after watching his videos while braving the storm at her nearby home. “He’s an icon,” she said. “I saw it online and wanted to see it for myself.”

Before the storm

Malinowski's story went viral through a series of videos posted by TikTok creator Tampa Terrence. Before the storm, he explained his decision to remain on his ship.

“I trust in God. I don’t trust people,” he explained. “God told me to come here and get a boat. I came here and got a boat. Everything he has said to me in the last few days shows that I am doing the right thing. He turned his back on me. “I’m fine.” form. I don't sweat.

Tampa radio station WUFT reported that Malinowski's background includes several criminal allegations and charges, including assaulting a police officer and aggravated assault on a woman.

The comments section was flooded with people who thought his decision was a bad idea: “It's a matter of life or death,” one user commented.

Weather experts and local officials stressed the importance of residents seeking shelter from the potentially deadly storm.

“I can say without any dramatization: If you choose to stay in one of these evacuation areas, you will die,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told CNN.

Officials say Malinowski was rescued but was back on his boat hours later, the report said

An updated TikTok video showed local police trying to convince Malinowski to leave.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Mayor Castor said officers rescued him and took him to an emergency shelter, according to WFLA.

However, news reporters spotted him at his boat hours later.

“Dan isn’t leaving the boat because of the hurricane. He stays on this boat. There were many attempts to get him off that boat. People have offered houses, hotel rooms, apartments, he won't leave,” Tampa Terrence explained in a video.

Malinowski is viewed millions of times online

Malinowski has more than 550,000 followers on TikTok at the time of publication. His latest video has almost 6 million views.

Tampa Terrence has created a GoFundMe in his name titled “Support Lieutenant Dan's Seafaring Dreams.” Currently, more than $37,000 has been raised.

“His current vessel has seen better days and we would like to surprise him with a new boat to continue his seafaring adventures,” the fundraiser said. “Let’s come together and show our support for this modern-day pirate by helping him get a new ship to sail the seas!”

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].

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