The whale nicknamed Timmy , whose fate has captivated Germany since late March , was released into the waters of the North Sea Saturday morning. Timmy reportedly swam out of the water-filled special transport barge under his own power. The young animal survived a days-long journey from the German coast of the Baltic Sea . The 12-meter (almost 40-foot) marine mammal was transported closer to the ocean as previous efforts to help him swim away ended with the animal restranded and in increasing distress . Activists hope Timmy will continue his journey toward the Atlantic Ocean. A member of the rescue team was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying the animal was at least initially, heading in the right direction. But despite arriving in the saltier, colder waters off northern Europe, the whale's life remains in danger, as his health deteriorated while he was stranded. Will Timmy sink or swim?…