LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) – A naked man who went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean in the dark of night and didn’t return was found Sunday morning even though he was shy about showing himself to his rescuers, the Coast Guard said.

Neal Mello stripped off his clothes and went in the water around 9:20 p.m. Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard said. When he was still gone at 10 p.m., a friend called for help, and rescuers were dispatched.

The search for Mello, 37, extended about 5 miles offshore and involved boats and a helicopter.

Mello, of Brooklyn, was found around 5:30 a.m. Sunday hiding under a pier not far from where he jumped in the water. He appeared to be in good physical condition but was “without the benefit of a swimsuit,” the Coast Guard said in a release.

Three- to 5-foot swells were reported in the area. But regardless of water conditions, night swimming is risky, Coast Guard duty watch officer Mark Averill warned.

“The darkness,” he said, “can disorientate even the most practiced swimmers.”