Joseph Malinowski, who is better known as “Lieutenant Dan,” made it through Hurricane Milton on his boat in Tampa Bay without getting hurt. The brave decision of the one-legged sailor to stay put even though he was told to leave has captivated the country.
Malinowski stayed on his ship even though the Category 3 storm had wind gusts of 120 mph and cut power to more than three million people. What did he think? “God told me to come out here and get a boat.”
Malinowski’s TikTok fame came before him, and fans were eagerly waiting for news that he was still alive. Brian Entin, a reporter for NewsNation, found the sailor and shared a video with the title “Lieutenant Dan is okay!”
Entin’s video showed what happened after the storm: the water level at the wharf was much lower than before. After making a few calls, Malinowski got off his boat and told Entin, “I’m fine.” Because the water was so low, he was stuck, but he didn’t seem to mind.
At 4:39 a.m., TikTok posted more proof that Malinowski was still alive, which made fans happy and relieved. Some made jokes about Entin’s early morning alarm, while others were glad to hear the news.
Authorities had tried to get Malinowski to leave his boat before the storm, which showed how determined he was. Cathie Perkins, who is in charge of disaster management for Pinellas County, told people to leave, saying, “This is it, folks…” We’re going to knock out this guy.”
It’s clear that the storm did a lot of damage to Florida, but “Lieutenant Dan’s” unwavering determination has won over many. His drive to handle the storm on his own terms shows how strong people can be.
As the state starts to get back on its feet, Malinowski’s story is a lesson that bravery and individuality can win out even when things are going badly. “Lieutenant Dan’s” survival is a sign of hope in the middle of the destruction, even though the choice he made may not have been the best one.
