‘Lt Dan’ is safe after refusing to leave his boat amid Hurricane Milton

A Florida man nicknamed “Lieutenant Dan” – after the character in Forrest Gump – is protected after making the choice to remain on his boat throughout Hurricane Milton.

The storm made landfall as a Class 3 hurricane on Wednesday night close to Sarasota County’s Siesta Key, bringing a number of tornadoes, 28-foot waves, sturdy winds, heavy rainfall, and devastating storm surge. Lately, movies by native journalists revealed that Lieutenant Dan, whose actual title is reportedly Joseph Malinowski, confirmed that each he and his boat have survived the hurricane.

Native Fox 13 information anchor, Kevin O’Donnell posted a clip on X (previously Twitter) of himself approaching Malinowski with a caption that learn: “‘Lieutenant Dan’ UPDATE: He survived to speak about his wild evening driving out Hurricane Milton on his 20 ft sailboat. #LieutenantDan #HurricaneMilton.”

“Hello, the way you doing? It’s Lieutenant Dan,” he might be heard saying within the video, because the information anchor requested him: “How’s the journey?”

“The water’s gone?” Malinowski questioned, when O’Donnell informed him: “Yeah it’s going out… It’s being pulled out.”

Malinowski informed O’Donnell he was doing “effective” and that being on the water through the pure catastrophe was not as dangerous as he initially thought.

“Is the water coming again in or is it nonetheless going out?” he requested the information anchor.

“It’s going out,” O’Donnell informed him. “You hold in there.”

“Alright, I admire that. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Malinowski responded.

Many individuals turned to the feedback part to precise how excited they have been that “Lieutenant Dan” had survived the storm.

“He survived Milton on a ship he earned a promotion to Captain Dan,” one remark learn.

One other commenter agreed, writing: “Hurricane Milton didn’t stand an opportunity towards Lt. Dan’s crusing abilities and grit.”

Malinowski had first gone viral on TikTok after consumer Terrence Concannon, also referred to as Tampa Terrence, posted movies of “Lieutenant Dan” claiming he can be driving out the storm on his boat.

When requested why he wouldn’t be evacuating the world, he informed the TikToker that it largely needed to do together with his religion. “My religion in God. God informed me to come back out right here and get a ship. I got here out right here and acquired a ship,” Malinowski stated. “He’s been telling me within the final two days I’m doing the appropriate factor. He’s acquired my again. I’m in good condition. We’re gonna journey this one out.”

He was then requested if he can be sporting a life jacket all through the storm, to which he replied: “Hell no.”

Malinowski added: “The most secure place on the planet to be is my boat.”

Forward of the hurricane, Malinowski was requested to depart the world by Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, to which he refused.

Throughout a press convention on Wednesday afternoon, Tampa’s mayor Jane Castor introduced that “Lieutenant Dan” was rescued by the police and brought to a shelter that morning, however he was reportedly again inside his boat within the afternoon.