- Streamer offers to buy ‘Lieutenant Dan’ Tampa man “$100K’ boat
- TikTok viewers follow ‘Lieutenant Dan’ during Hurricane Milton
- Assures viewers he’s safe
A one-legged boat owner in Tampa nicknamed ‘Lieutenant Dan’ has alarmed TikTok viewers after refusing to leave his boat as Hurricane Milton rages.
The plucky sailor, whose real name is Joseph Malinowski, has made a habit of staying put through stormy weather, having claimed to have previously slept through Hurricane Helene.
Taking to TikTok to confirm that he was safe and had survived the night, a new video appeared to show Malinowski speaking with internet streamer Adin Ross who suggested he would be buying him a new boat worth “between $50-$100.”
Ross continued to suggest that he would be helping Lieutenant Dan secure a Kick deal where he can “stream [his] entire voyages and all [his] adventures” and ultimately earn a “passive income.”
Lieutenant Dan Tampa man Tiktok sensation
Taking his name from actor Gary Senise’s one-legged military veteran character from 1994’s Forrest Gump, Tampa’s Lieutenant Dan doesn’t seem to like being told what to do.
According to recent reports, he managed to survive the night despite being urged by local officials to abandon his boat and head for shelter.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor reportedly revealed that local police had “just saved Lieutenant Dan” after relocating him to safety. However, shortly after this news was reported, Malinowski was spotted back in his boat.
“I’m gonna be fine”
He doesn’t seem too worried about Hurricane Milton, telling Sky News that his plan is to “sit down and hunker down” and sleep through the storm much like he claims to have done with Hurricane Helene.
He continued, suggesting “I’m gonna be fine. This is a boat. It’s meant to be on water.
“The water’s going to surge, it’s not a tsunami… “I have no concerns, God’s got me. I’m gonna hunker down and do my TikTok.”
Despite his insistence that he’s going to be fine, Lieutenant Dan’s determination to stay put caused alarm for TikTok viewers.
As the storm began to take hold, Malinowski took to the platform to update viewers on his plans, attracting thousands of viewers.
A second video appeared to show someone helping Dan by attaching a tyre to his small sailboat as flood water sploshed around them.
