Florida man ‘Lieutenant Dan’ refuses to abandon boat as Hurricane Milton approaches
As Hurricane Milton draws closer, a Florida man stubbornly stays aboard his boat despite evacuation warnings
In times of crisis, it’s easy to understand why people choose safety over their possessions. However, one man, known to many as “Lieutenant Dan,” defied the odds and captured the hearts of many by standing firm on his decision to stay aboard his 20-foot boat as Hurricane Milton approached Florida’s Gulf Coast.
This story has sparked widespread attention, and many have wondered why he refused to seek shelter like others.
While most residents followed evacuation orders to protect themselves from the dangerous storm, Lieutenant Dan, whose real name is Joe Sea, had other ideas. He believed staying on his boat, which had survived a previous hurricane, was the best option. To him, leaving his boat behind felt like giving up everything he owned.
“The water’s going to come in, it’s going to rise. If you’re on land, it’s going to flood. You’re risking drowning. I’m in a boat, so the boat goes up with the water… it’s really the safest place to be, on my boat,” he confidently explained.
Despite efforts from local authorities and even the famous Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore, who personally visited to convince him to leave, Lieutenant Dan stayed true to his decision. With faith in both his own survival skills and divine protection, he insisted that “God didn’t bring me this far for something to happen to me.”
Lieutenant Dan’s story spread like wildfire on social media, with a TikToker named Tampa Terrence closely following his journey. Having already weathered Hurricane Helene aboard his boat, Lieutenant Dan seemed determined to challenge Mother Nature once again. However, as Hurricane Milton grew stronger, many of his fans became concerned for his safety.
@terrenceconcannonLot of people have been commenting this, so thought I would ask him. I have a hotel for him near the Tampa airport, but his is still hesitant on going. There have been many attempts from police to get him out of there, so hoping he makes the right decision and leaves 🙏
The situation seemed dire, with the hurricane set to make landfall late Wednesday or early Thursday. Yet, against all odds, Lieutenant Dan was finally persuaded to evacuate, thanks to the persistent efforts of the Tampa Police Department. On Wednesday morning, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced during a press conference that Lieutenant Dan had been safely taken to a shelter. His evacuation provided relief to his fans and those following his story.
Lieutenant Dan’s tale has struck a chord with many, highlighting the difficult decisions people face during times of crisis. His determination to protect what little he had was admirable, but in the end, it was a reminder that safety should always come first.
What are your thoughts on Lieutenant Dan’s story? Do you think he made the right decision by staying on his boat until the very last moment? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
