Wildlife experts had previous criticised the operation, saying it would only cause the animal more distress.
Ships have rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope since 2023 to avoid conflicts in the Middle East.
The final operation to save the whale is being closely followed, after the failure of earlier attempts.
The jawbones of a 76-tonne Rorqual that died in the Humber are back on public display in Grimsby.
The government insists it is taking action to maker the seas safer.
Climate change and shifting migration patterns are bringing rare research opportunities and new mysteries.
"Timmy" has been stranded in the Baltic Sea for weeks despite several attempts to free the ailing animal.
It is rare to see orcas in British waters but the crew say they watched the group for 15 minutes.
Hunger is a likely reason the whale, dubbed Willapa Willy, travelled inland, experts say.
