Authorities say they provided evacuation assistance to a Tampa, Fla., homeowner who recently went popular on TikTok for refusing to leave his yacht ahead of Hurricane Milton—but he is remaining there.
Terrence Concannon posted a TikTok video on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in which the man known as “Lieutenant Dan,” named after Gary Sinise’s character in the 1994 hit film Forrest Gump, explains to an interviewer his decision to remain in his 20-foot boat despite Milton’s imminent threat.
“My faith in God,” declares the guy, whose true name is supposedly Joseph Malinowski. “God instructed me to come out here and get a boat. I came out here to get a boat. He has been assuring me for the last two days that I am doing the right thing. He has my back. I am in excellent form. “We’re going to ride this out.”
When asked if he will be wearing a life jacket, Malinowski replies, “Hell no.”
He then added, “The safest place in the world to be is my boat.”
As of Wednesday, Oct. 9, the video about Malinowski has received about 43 million views, in addition to local and national media coverage. Local officials claim they were concerned about his safety.
“After several conversations, [Malinowski] informed our officers of his plans to evacuate this morning, and we offered our assistance,” a Tampa Police official told people.
“Our top goal is keeping our community safe throughout this storm. However,” the police spokesperson said, “there will come a time when the weather will deteriorate to the point where our officers will be unable to safely reach victims, which is why we are making additional efforts right now.”
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor first revealed that police had “saved” Malinowski and sent him to a shelter during a press conference about Milton on Wednesday.
But Brian Entin, a senior national journalist for the cable network NewsNation, quickly confirmed that Malinowski was still in his boat and published a photo of him on the sea.
“I know the Mayor of Tampa just said in her press conference that Lieutenant Dan went to a shelter,” Entin posted on X, beside a photo of Malinowski’s head appearing from his covered boat. “He didn’t; I’m standing right here.”
Concannon, the social media user who initially shared the viral video interviewing Malinowski, also confirmed what a representative for the mayor later told PEOPLE: Malinowski had allegedly chosen to stay on his boat and refused to leave.
People also contacted Malinowski through his TikTok account for a comment.
“Our public safety team has had multiple conversations with this individual to persuade him to decide to go to a shelter for safety as the hurricane approaches,” according to the mayor’s spokeswoman. “At one point [on Wednesday], just prior to the press conference, he’d agreed to leave his boat; however, it appears that he has not followed through.”
“We encourage all residents to heed the warnings that have been issued for days to evacuate Zones A & B for their safety and for the safety of first responders who must then put their lives at risk to save those who choose not to leave,” according to a spokeswoman.
Concannon also created a GoFundMe for Malinowski, which has raised around $23,000. “We’re banding together to support our wonderful buddy Lieutenant Dan… “He’s the kindest soul, never asking for anything but always willing to help,” Concannon wrote in the campaign.
“His current vessel has seen better days, and we want to surprise him with a new boat to continue his seafaring adventures,” says Concannonon. “Let’s come together and show our support for this modern-day pirate by helping him get a new ship to sail the seas!”
Milton, which is presently a Category 3, is located approximately 170 miles southwest of Orlando and has maximum sustained winds of 120 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center as of 5 p.m. ET Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center forecasts the hurricane to make landfall in Florida’s west-central coast later this evening.