Lieutenant Dan, the viral sensation from Tampa who rode out Hurricane Milton in a boat, shares his survival story.

A sailboat rider from Florida, famously known as "Lieutenant Dan," kept TikTok viewers worldwide on tenterhooks as they waited for Hurricane Milton to pass through Tampa. Despite the danger, he braved the storm in his small boat and emerged victorious.

"Joseph Malinowski stated in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital that he had no intention of leaving his location during the storm. He was not scared by the storm because he did not see it, write it, or make it happen."

Malinowski disregarded the pleas from local residents, law enforcement officials, and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to evacuate and seek shelter. Instead, he remained on his boat tied to Bayshore Boulevard near Tampa General Hospital during Hurricane Helene.

""The boat will remain dry if you keep the water out," he stated."

During a press conference on Wednesday night, Castor stated that the man known as "Lieutenant Dan" in the Tampa community had been taken to a shelter. However, live TikTok feeds and news interviews showed that he was still in his boat and unwilling to leave it.

Gary Sinise, who played "Forrest Gump," is believed to have inspired Malinowski's nickname "Lieutenant Dan," as they share a similar appearance. Malinowski has a missing part of his left leg and relies on crutches for mobility.

Malinowski said, "Yes, the wind came through heavy and it was crazy for a little while. No, it didn't bother me because I knew what I was doing."

"God had his finger on me," he said, "and I know I'd be fine."

On Wednesday evening, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, hit Florida, surprising the Tampa Bay community that was still recovering from Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that had devastated Southeast Florida in late September, causing widespread destruction and claiming over 200 lives in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Malinowski gained popularity on social media after it was clear he was determined to stay put.

TikToker Adin Ross, who is known for his boat collection, offered to buy "Lieutenant Dan" a boat worth between $50,000 and $100,000. In addition, he proposed a full-time live stream TikTok deal where Malinowski could document his sailing adventures and generate income through social media.

Ross withdrew his offer after discovering Malinowski's extensive criminal history, which includes charges of assaulting a police officer and attempting to set a woman on fire, as reported by the New York Post.

"Malinowski told a TikToker who recorded him live that he never asked for the $100,000 sign-on bonus and $50,000 monthly salary with a $100,000 boat, and that he should have done his due diligence and looked him up before making the offer."

According to the New York Post, his other past charges include drug possession, attempted breaking and entering, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Although there was opposition, Malinowski declared that he intended to remain on his boat during any future Tampa hurricanes, despite a New York Post report stating an ongoing dispute over the ownership of the boat.

As Milton caused harm to Tampa Bay and "cosmetic damage" to the boat, Malinowski began conversing with God and practicing meditation.

In St. Petersburg, located just 25 miles from Tampa, wind gusts reached a staggering 102 mph, as reported by FOX Weather.

Malinowski, during meditation, imagined a ring that he believed could shield him from hitting Planet Chronicle Digital's wall. However, when he got distracted, he thrusted against the dock, resulting in more harm.

Malinowski anchored his boat at the Bayshore Boulevard dock before Hurricane Helene hit. He claims to have had a tranquil night and slept for approximately 4½ hours before waking up in his boat, which was situated near Harbour Island and shared the channel with Bayshore.

"Malinowski recounted a time when Hurricane Milton was particularly bad. "It was really windy," he said. "The wind picked up and was tearing through here. I was bouncing around.""