A high-stakes and closely watched rescue operation is underway off the coast of Germany as teams attempt to save a 13.5-meter humpback whale, nicknamed “Timmy,” which has been stranded for weeks in shallow waters near Wismar.

The situation has drawn widespread attention after earlier attempts to free the whale using boats and heavy machinery were unsuccessful. With time becoming an increasingly critical factor, rescue teams have now shifted to an experimental approach described as a world-first for an operation of this scale.

According to officials involved in the mission, industrial air cushions are being used to carefully support the whale’s body as it is lifted onto a reinforced tarp system stretched between floating pontoons. This structure is designed to distribute weight evenly and reduce physical stress on the animal during transport.

Once secured, the platform is being slowly towed by a tugboat toward deeper waters, with the long-term goal of reaching the North Sea and eventually open ocean conditions more suitable for the whale’s survival.

Rescue coordinators report that Timmy is injured and severely exhausted, but still responsive and alive. The current method is intended to minimize additional trauma while enabling a controlled relocation away from the shallow, hazardous environment where he became trapped.

Experts describe the operation as a delicate race against time, where environmental conditions, the whale’s health, and mechanical stability must all align for success. The slow movement toward deeper waters has now begun, marking a critical phase in the effort.