Authorities report that they offered evacuation assistance to a Tampa, Florida resident who recently gained attention on TikTok for refusing to leave his sailboat ahead of Hurricane Milton, but the man insists on staying.
In a TikTok video posted by Terrence Concannon on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the man, known as “Lieutenant Dan” — a reference to the character played by Gary Sinise in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump — explains to an interviewer why he chose to remain aboard his 20-foot boat despite the looming threat from Milton.
“My faith in God,” the man, identified as Joseph Malinowski, explains. “God told me to come out here and get a boat. I did, and for the last two days, He’s been telling me I’m making the right choice. He’s got my back. I’m in good shape. We’re going to ride this out.”
When asked if he plans to wear a life jacket, Malinowski responds: “Hell no.”
He later adds, “The safest place in the world is my boat.”
As of Wednesday, Oct. 9, the video about Malinowski has garnered around 43 million views and drawn both local and national media attention. Local officials have expressed concern for his safety.
