Who is Joseph Malinowski and what does he do? All about Florida resident "Lieutenant Dan" refusing to leave boat amid Hurricane Milton

Shortly after Hurricane Helene took its toll on Florida, the state was hit by another devastating impact from Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 hurricane involving wind speeds higher than 250 km/h. This calamity has destroyed property and left millions without power. However, amidst the chaos, the internet has seen a particular Florida native rise up in popularity, Joseph Malinowski.

Joseph Malinowski, also known as "Lieutenant Dan," became a notable figure during Hurricane Milton's arrival due to his refusal to evacuate from his boat anchored in Tampa Bay, Florida. At 54, Malinowski has lived on a 20-foot sailboat for years after facing homelessness.

His story has gained attention, especially on platforms like TikTok, where social media influencer Terrence Concannon helped raise awareness about his situation. Terrance stated that Lieutenant Dan is adamant about not leaving and will continue to stand his ground:

"Dan is not leaving his boat for the hurricane, he is staying on that boat. There have been many attempts to get him off this boat, people have offered him houses, hotel rooms, apartments, he will not leave... He is still there, he is still on the boat, and he's riding out this storm."

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Why does Joseph Malinowski choose to stay on a boat during the Hurricane Hilton calamity?

Joseph Malinowski cited God as the motivation for persevering through such a terrible situation. He stated that faith in the almighty has kept him going, claiming he was told to stay in troubled waters:

"I put my faith in God, I don't put my faith in man. God told me to come out here and get a boat, I came out here and got a boat, and everything that he's been telling me over the last two days is [that] I'm doing the right thing. He's got my back, I'm in good shape. I'm not sweating it."

"Lieutenant Dan” has gone viral on the internet, with his determination to face Hurricane Milton gaining mixed reactions online, especially given the severity of the storm. Videos documenting his experience have gone viral, amassing millions of views and generating widespread discussions online.

Authorities, including the Tampa Police Department and Mayor Jane Castor, have made multiple efforts to evacuate Joseph Malinowski, offering shelter and support. There were initial reports that he had been rescued, but he later refuted these claims, saying he remained on his boat. Despite warnings of a potential 15-foot storm surge, he has maintained that he feels safe on the water, believing his boat would rise with the surge rather than be overcome by it.

In an interview with CNN, Florida’s Mayor spoke on Joseph's situation, saying authorities might have to arrest him for his own good:

"We have tried so many times with that individual to get him off of that boat, and the officers will eventually just take him into custody, for his own good, because he's not going to survive in a sailboat in the bay with anywhere from 8 to 12ft of storm surge. ('So are you saying he would be arrested?', asked the reporter) Well, for Baker Act for his own protective custody, and it may be past the point for that."

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Exploring Joseph Malinowski’s criminal background

Although Joseph is considered a niche internet celebrity now, his background includes a series of legal issues and arrests, adding complexity to his public image.

Malinowski's criminal history includes various charges over the past few years. In one significant incident from 2023, he faced accusations of attempting to harm a woman by throwing gasoline on her while she was smoking, creating a dangerous situation. This event led to his arrest and legal proceedings, highlighting a history of confrontational behavior.

In addition to these accusations, he has had encounters with law enforcement over assault-related offenses. He served a short prison sentence after a conviction for battery against a police officer. This sentence followed an altercation that added to his record of legal troubles. Beyond these events, he was also arrested for traffic violations, including operating a vehicle without a valid license.

Despite his criminal record, Joesph Malinowski has embraced the Lieutenant Dan persona. Kick star Adin Ross noticed the Florida native’s story online and came forth with a proposition. After some discussion, Adin, who also owns part of the streaming platform, offered Joseph a deal to broadcast his adventures and make some money while doing so.

Additionally, the streamer was generous enough to offer Dan a new, luxury boat to stream from.

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In other news, Tfue, a well-known streamer, recently shared the significant damage his home suffered from Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida in late September 2024.