MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (August 2, 2012)--A man feared drowned in waters off New York's Long Island may be alive and well in South Carolina.

A New York State Park Police captain said the man was detained early Thursday morning in South Carolina.

Raymond Roth told South Carolina authorities he was headed back to New York, and they allowed him to proceed north.

Authorities had been searching for Roth by air and sea off Massapequa since Saturday.

His son had told authorities they last saw him swim out near Jones Beach and lost sight of him.

Park Police Capt. Bruce Marx said Roth was later seen in Florida.

Marx also confirmed Roth was stopped by police and released in Santee, S.C., at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday.

It is unclear exactly what transpired and whether criminal charges will be filed.