‘Lieutenant Dan,’ who stayed on his boat during a deadly hurricane despite warnings, has been arrested in Florida.
Joseph Malinowski, known as ‘Lieutenant Dan,’ gained fame for his daring stance during Hurricane Milton.
He chose to stay on his boat in Tampa Bay despite evacuation orders. Recently, Tampa Police arrested him on multiple charges.
Lieutenant Dan previously refused to evacuate despite warnings.
Malinowski, who lives on his boat, refused to evacuate when Hurricane Milton approached Florida.
Authorities issued strong warnings, advising residents to either evacuate or stay indoors. The storm made landfall in Sarasota County, bringing 120 mph winds.
While many sought safety, Malinowski decided to ride out the storm on his boat. Speaking to a Sky News reporter, he shared his reasoning.
“Five years ago, God put on my heart Tampa Bay and get a boat. That is what I am doing,” he said. He felt a divine calling to remain there, adding, “He told me to be here, so I am here.”
When asked if he was worried about the storm, he responded calmly. “I am in a boat, and there is water coming in. I’ll go up with the water, and when it goes out, I’ll go down. As long as I keep the water out of the inside of my boat, I’ll be fine.”
‘Lieutenant Dan’ arrested after refusing to leave boat during hurricane
Tampa Police later arrested Malinowski, confirming his charges to TMZ.
@terrenceconcannon Lieutenant Dan is the man
He faced two outstanding warrants: one for failing to appear in court and another for trespassing in a city park. The police encountered him at Bayshore Linear Park and Dock on October 17.
Officers informed Malinowski that his boat lacked a proper marine sanitation device.
They also noted that he didn’t have a record of waste disposal.
They warned him to move his boat, deeming it a public health hazard. Despite the warning, Malinowski remained at the dock. Police returned the next day and arrested him for failing to comply.
Response from his team after ‘Lieutenant Dan’ being arrested
Brandon Gilchrist, Malinowski’s representative, told the media that they are working to secure his release.
The viral star, now known as ‘Lieutenant Dan,’ became a sensation for his defiance against the storm.
Gilchrist stated that Malinowski had no plans to leave his boat, even during the intense weather.
Reflecting on his experience, Malinowski said, “I’ve had more eventful nights than the one spent in a hurricane’s path.” He compared it to his time during Storm Helene, saying it wasn’t as bad.
Malinowski shared his experience during Hurricane Milton.
He said, “I did the same thing I am doing right now. The wind came out of the west right here and pushed me to the east, so I was over the water, and I just watched it go up.”
He recounted that he went to bed at 12:30 and woke up at 5 a.m.
“I’m worried about [my boat] getting scratched up. That’s it; that’s the worst that is going to happen.” For Malinowski, Hurricane Milton was relatively calm. “It was uneventful and was nice. It was mellow,” he said.
Joseph Malinowski’s decision to stay on his boat during a hurricane gained widespread attention on social media. However, his refusal to heed warnings has now led to legal trouble.
Despite his calm demeanor during the storm, police actions show the risks of ignoring safety protocols.
His arrest serves as a reminder that emergency guidelines are in place for a reason.
While Malinowski’s story captured the public’s fascination, the incident underscores the importance of adhering to safety measures during extreme weather.