Analysis of the main causes of Spanish fishing vessels sinking

Abstract

Throughout the history of mankind, fishing has been considered an almost inexhaustible source of food, and it was not until the second half of the 20th century that its regulation was contemplated. Over the centuries, fishing has been portrayed as a tough profession. There are many depictions of fishing vessels trapped by storms, and tragic moments for fishermen and their families are inevitable, such as the 1961 gale that affected northern Spain or more recent incidents like the sinking of the “Villa de Pitanxo” in 2022, where 21 people lost their lives. It appears that instead of decreasing, the number of sinking incidents has remained constant over the years. This article aims to uncover the causes of these events by analyzing various investigations conducted by the Permanent Commission for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents and Incidents, with the goal of revealing why fishing vessels continue to sink year after year.