Officials Tried to Help Florida Man ‘Lt. Dan’ Before Hurricane Milton, but He Refused to Leave His Boat

Before Hurricane Milton made landfall in Tampa, Florida, officials there made an effort to help a man who went by the TikTok handle “Lieutenant Dan.” The man, whose true name is apparently Joseph Malinowski, defied their attempts to disembark from his 20-foot boat and chose instead to weather the storm.

Malinowski was filmed by Terrence Concannon, who uploaded the popular TikTok on October 8 and showed him justifying his choice. Malinowski, who was inspired by the Forrest Gump character, boldly declares his belief in God in the video, saying, “God told me to come out here and acquire a boat. I’m safe with him. We’re going to get through this. He brashly said, “Hell no,” when asked if he would be donning a life jacket, stating that his yacht was the safest place for him to be.

Around 43 million people had viewed the film as of October 9, garnering both local and national interest. Authorities in Tampa were worried about his safety, but Malinowski refused to leave despite multiple attempts to persuade him. The local police said that although they would have helped, they would eventually be unable to get to him due to the storm’s increasing conditions.

Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa first said that Malinowski had been rescued and taken to a shelter during a press conference. Brian Entin, a reporter for NewsNation, swiftly refuted this, posting a picture of Malinowski remaining on his boat as evidence that he had not departed. Later on, the mayor’s office stated that Malinowski had initially decided to depart but ended up staying.

Concannon, the person who first uploaded the popular video, launched a GoFundMe page in support of Malinowski, which raised almost $23,000. The money is meant to assist Malinowski—who has been called a “modern-day pirate”—in buying a new boat because his present one has “seen better days.”

With sustained winds of 120 mph, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, was predicted to make landfall on Florida’s west-central coast as of October 9. Malinowski made the decision to stay on his boat despite several orders for the locals to leave, putting his faith and the security of his craft at risk.

This Photo Has Never Been Photoshopped, Look More Carefully

Dawn Wells was a talented actress renowned for her portrayal of Mary Ann on the iconic television series “Gilligan’s Island”. In the accompanying image, she is seen in character, dressed in a stylish short-sleeve patterned shirt and dark shorts, set against a vibrant backdrop of tropical greenery and trees, perfectly capturing the essence of an island paradise.

Mary Ann was known for her sweetness and warmth, earning her a special place in the hearts of countless fans. Wells brought this character to life with such authenticity that Mary Ann felt both relatable and cherished.

Born on October 18, 1938, Wells developed a love for acting early in life, dedicating herself to the craft through theater studies and relentless practice. “Gilligan’s Island” debuted in 1964 and enjoyed enduring popularity, with Mary Ann remaining a standout favorite among viewers long after the show concluded.

Dawn Wells left an indelible mark on the television landscape, celebrated for her remarkable talent and the kindness she embodied as Mary Ann in “Gilligan’s Island”.

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