Humpback Whale 'Timmy' Successfully Entered Barge for Baltic Sea Rescue Operation

After being stranded for 29 days in the Baltic Sea near the island of Poel, the humpback whale affectionately named 'Timmy' was successfully guided into a transport barge on April 28, 2026. This pivotal step in the rescue effort marked the beginning of a complex journey to return the whale safely to its natural habitat in the North Sea and potentially the Atlantic Ocean.

The barge, measuring 50 meters long and 13 meters wide, was filled with water to accommodate Timmy comfortably as it swam into the vessel under its own power, providing a moment of great relief and hope for the rescue team and onlookers. This barge will embark on a 400-kilometer journey, initially being towed by the tugboat 'Robin Hood' towards Wismar before continuing onward.

Environmental officials, including Minister Till Backhaus, confirmed that despite earlier medical concerns suggesting the whale might only survive a few more days, Timmy's condition has sufficiently improved for transport. However, experts have voiced concerns regarding the seaworthiness of the barge, especially when passing through potentially rough seas around Denmark, which poses logistical challenges for the operation.

The rescue is coordinated by a private initiative supported by local authorities and the German Life Saving Association (DLRG), with the team closely monitoring the whale's health and the transport conditions to ensure Timmy's well-being throughout the journey.

Footage showed the barge moving out of a narrow bay near Poel, aided by smaller boats, with the entire mission symbolizing a coordinated and hopeful effort to save the stranded whale and return it to the open sea.