Freedom! Stranded young whale freed in marathon rescue effort at Palm Beach now swimming well but ‘rogue rescuers’ may face charges

UPDATE: A young whale freed after a marathon stranding at Palm Beach has shown such progress Sea World crews will leave it on its own. But ‘rogue’ rescuers may face charges.

UPDATED: A YOUNG humpback whale freed this morning after a marathon stranding on Palm Beach is swimming so well Sea World crews will leave it on its own.

A Sea World spokesman said the whale headed straight out to sea after its rescue just after 8am this morning and was swimming so well that jubilant rescuers believed it was now out of the woods.

“The crew that has been monitoring the whale’s behaviour are happy with its progress and are now heading back to Sea World,” he said.

“The whale was showing positive signs and the crew has made the decision to leave it on its own as it continues to swim out to sea.”

EVERY GASP AND CHEER FROM WHALE SUPPORTERS ON THE SIDELINES

HOW THE MARATHON RESCUE EFFORT UNFOLDED YESTERDAY

ROGUE RESCUERS MAKE STRANDED WHALE SITUATION WORSE

Meanwhile, police will review footage of the dramatic moment ‘rogue’ rescuers tried to float the stranded whale last night.

JUBILATION: Rescuers hug and celebrate as the whale heads for freedom. Picture Glenn Hampson

Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Des Lacy said it ‘wasn’t an intelligent act’ and it distressed the young humpback.

“We did see a breakaway of a group of people who believed they were assisting the whale, it was contrary to the recommendations of those authorities who were in the know in regards to the safety of the whale.

“We are actually looking at the video footage of that incident and we will be reviewing the footage to see if there were any offences committed and if any action could be taken.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate also weighed into the debate saying the rogue group were ‘good hearted’ but should have listened to authorities.

“I say those with a passion for the environment, keep the passion burning but direct your energy into the right way,” he said.

ON HIS WAY: The whale heads for freedom . Picture Glenn Hampson

8.15AM: HE’S free! The young whale stranded at Palm Beach since Tuesday night is now out in deeper waters.

After a marathon rescue effort by Sea World, a fifth attempt to tow the whale out to sea was successful.

The whale is no longer visible from shore and crowds have erupted with cheers every time he comes up for air.

A victorious Sea World marine animal supervisor Tacha Mulligan said it was ‘up to the whale now’.

“I wasn’t going to celebrate until we couldn’t see it any more and the jet skis were out of sight as well,” she said.

“It was such an exhausting effort, that moment, I can hardly describe.

“He’s very exhausted, he’ll get past those breakers, have a rest, recoup and get his energy back.

The whale is finally in deep water at Palm Beach after the rescue crew's fifth attempt to tow it out to sea. Pic: Channel Seven

“We are cautiously optimistic, but we’ll stay with him all day and monitor him.

“We were working against the conditions and time was against us.”

Sea World still has no idea why the whale became beached and said the marathon 36 hour stranding would leave him physically weak for some time.

IN PICTURES: WHALE RESCUED AFTER MARATHON STRANDING

Hundreds of spectators cheered as the whale finally became free swimming out to sea after a fifth rescue attempt by sea world staff this morning.

The harness that was attaching the whale to a tow boat snapped, as it was supposed to, and the whale kept swimming as rescuers held their breath before celebrating.

On your way buddy! The young whale during the last attempts at his rescue this morning before he was freed. Pic: Benjamin Macht

Palm beach couple Lucy Ewing and Jonathan Dao had been monitoring the rescue at the beach every day since it was first discovered washed up on Tuesday night.

“We’re almost going to miss it, I’ve heard it singing and I just hoped it would make it out,” Ms Ewing said.

“It was such an incredible experience and I think it’s been really good for the community as well. This is such a relief that the whale is safe and ok, it’s really uplifting.”

Pullllllll!!! Is this it? Sea World rescuers having another crack. Come on buddy! http://t.co/r4tjhwPiis pic.twitter.com/ZH0ere2z6S

— Liz Burke (@lizeburke) July 9, 2014

8AM: RESCUERS managed to straighten up the whale so it was facing out to sea and the whale moved about 30m offshore before being swept back up to the beach.

The third rescue attempt of the morning was described as the ‘most significant movement’ so far today. However, the whale simply could not get past a sandbar.

Time is now running out with the tide quickly receding. The fourth rescue attempt is now underway.

Rescuers attempt to drag the young whale out to sea at Palm Beach. Pic: Liz Burke

The young whale during the last attempts at his rescue this morning before he was freed. Pic: Benjamin Macht

7.30AM: THE whale stranded at Palm Beach almost made a break for it and even looked to be “waving” goodbye, but large swells have put rescuers back to square one.

The first efforts to tow the mammal looked successful with the whale in deeper water and inching closer to the ocean, but unfortunately the harness snapped and is now being replaced.

IN PICTURES: DRAMATIC WHALE RESCUE AT PALM BEACH

Day three of whale rescue at Palm Beach underway — the whale stranded again after a failed tow out.

Crews managed to drag the animal about 10m out from the shore, but it is now 50m from its original spot and back on the sand.

The setback hasn’t dampened enthusiasm though, with the crew of about 20 Sea World staff trying the delicate tow rescue mission again.

Day three of whale rescue at Palm Beach underway — the whale attempts to make a break for it.

7AM: A DELICATE rescue effort is having small progress at Palm Beach with crowds on the beach cheering as the 10m humpback slowly inches toward the ocean.

The mammal has been moved a few inches, it is flipping it’s tail and making soft noises.

Crews will continue to slowly attempt to pull the whale out to sea.

Rescuers tend to the whale during the marathon battle to save his life. Pic: Donna Mroz Turcic

Day three of rescue efforts to free a whale beached at Palm Beach are underway.

6.30AM: The harness is attached around the whale and crews are now deliberating the best way to attempt to tow the beached mammal out to sea.

Yesterday morning crews had issues with the tow rope snapping, today they are using different equipment they hope will be stronger and two boats instead of one.

Crews say it is a delicate operation as they can’t put too much pressure on the whale, which has already suffered major trauma.

Marine staff have told media on the scene the whale’s condition is “fair” but a speedy rescue is vital.

Rescue about to get underway for whale beached at Palm Beach, the efforts are now into the third day.

6AM: SeaWorld staff have begun to attach a harness to the 10m whale stranded on Palm Beach with hopes they will be able to successfully tow it out to deeper water this morning.

A small crowd is beginning to gather on the sand, but authorities are keeping them behind a barrier after last night’s rogue rescue effort.

5.45AM: THIS morning could be make or break for rescuers desperately trying to save a juvenile whale that has been beached for almost three days.

The young humpback that has been beached at Palm Beach since about 6pm on Tuesday barely survived the night and rescue efforts have so far all been in vain.

A group of protesters take to the sea to rescue the juvenile humpback whale stranded at a beach in Palm beach after the official rescue mission was called off for the day, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

Sea World marine staff are at the beach ready to begin the latest rescue attempt at daybreak, but the swell is up this morning and it will make tow out efforts difficult.

They plan to use special harnesses and boats to tow the 10m mammal to deeper water.

Overnight the whale has gone from facing towards the ocean to facing the sand, which is partly due to a large group of rogue rescuers who ran into the water when official crews abandoned the mission last night.

Stranded whale at Palm Beach. Photo Adam Wynn

A small crowd has began to gather at Palm Beach this morning, with members of a 4WD group also believed to be meeting on the sand with pulling gear in a bid to help.

The Bulletin’s crew are on the scene, updates and pictures to come as it happens.