April 26, 2026, 9:05 p.mApril 26, 2026, 9:05 p.m
The barge intended to transport the humpback whale off Poel is in the Kiel Canal. Pushed by the pushboat “Hans”, the so-called barge passed Hohenhörn on Sunday evening. Constanze von der Meden from the private rescue initiative had previously confirmed that it was the relevant association. The barge is supposed to pick up the whale stuck there along with the water off Poel and then transport it towards the North Sea, pulled by a tug.
The initiative expected the barge to arrive at the site on Sunday night or Monday morning. According to the diving contractor involved, Fred Babbel, there are no longer any major renovation works to be done on the barge. This had happened before in a shipyard. “They worked there day and night.” In addition to a few other preparations, only one bulkhead needs to be changed. According to Babbel, this is what should happen in Wismar. But the barge doesn’t have to go to the Wismar shipyard.
To get to the Wismar Bay, the barge should pass through the Kiel Canal. According to Babbel, on the Baltic Sea side, the tug “Robin Hood” is already ready off Kiel to pull the barge on. The actual removal of the whale was last planned for Tuesday. According to Babbel, another ship will hook the barge for transport. (sda/dpa)