Man last seen in surf at Robert Moses during nor’easter phones police to say he’s OK

State Police said the man reached out to authorities after seeing news coverage of the search

The man who was reportedly last seen in the churning surf at Robert Moses State Park during Saturday’s nor’easter is alive and well.

During the widespread media coverage of his disappearance, the man contacted police to inform them he was safe.

State troopers and park police announced Sunday morning just after 9:30 a.m. that they had “located the previously unidentified individual who was the subject of a search and public assistance request.”

“Following widespread coverage by local news outlets and the sharing of information by members of the media and public, the individual contacted NYSP and NYSPP,” police said in a statement.

Investigators confirmed the man was “the same person observed entering the ocean near Field 3 of Robert Moses State Park on September 26, 2026.”

“The individual was located alive and well, and no further assistance from the public is needed at this time,” said police, who did not release the man’s name. They also did not elaborate on how he got out of the water or where he went afterward.

Described as a white male wearing dark-colored shorts, the man was seen in the ocean near Field 3 about 2:30 p.m. Saturday. According to police, he “disappeared from view and was not seen exiting the water.”

With no one reported missing and no identity to go on, investigators asked the public for help Saturday night. They urged anyone who has a relative, friend or acquaintance who may have been at the park and could not be reached to call police.

The scare came as the powerful nor’easter pounded Long Island with dangerous surf.

“The New York State Police and New York State Park Police would like to thank the news media and members of the public for their assistance in helping investigators identify and locate the individual,” state police said in statement.

Top: Andrew Theodorakis/GLI