Naufragio

Naufragio is the sinking or destruction of a ship due to an accident or hostile action. The term, used in Spanish and Portuguese, can refer to the event itself or to the ship that has been wrecked. Shipwrecks have occurred throughout maritime history and continue to arise from storms, navigation errors, collisions, fires, or structural failures. They can involve loss of life, environmental damage, and long‑term archaeological or cultural significance.

Causes and circumstances: Natural hazards such as hurricanes, reefs, fog and ice; human factors including misnavigation, fatigue, poor maintenance, and equipment failure; collisions between ships or with offshore structures; wartime damage and deliberate scuttling. Some wrecks are the result of piracy or acts of war. As ships sink, wrecks may become hazards to navigation or sites for rescue and salvage operations.

Recovery, salvage, and law: Salvage rights and liens are governed by maritime law, varying by jurisdiction. There is also a growing framework for protecting underwater cultural heritage; the UNESCO 2001 Convention and related national laws seek to preserve shipwrecks as archaeological and historical resources while balancing commercial interests. Wrecks can be protected, excavated, or opened to divers, depending on legal status and environmental concerns.

Notable examples of naufragios include famous shipwrecks such as the RMS Titanic and other maritime losses that have shaped maritime safety standards and archaeological practice.