It is extremely rare for whales to sink boats, though documented incidents have increased slightly in recent years due to specific orca populations. Historically, most "attacks" were defensive reactions to whaling ships, such as the famous 1820 sinking of the Essex by a sperm whale. In modern times, the vast majority of whale-boat interactions are accidental collisions where the whale is usually the one injured. However, since 2020, a specific subpopulation of Iberian orcas (killer whales) off the coasts of Spain and Portugal has gained international attention for "interacting" with sailboats, often biting or ramming rudders. While hundreds of interactions have occurred, only a handful (fewer than 10) have actually resulted in the vessel sinking. Marine biologists believe this behavior is likely a form of "social play" or a fad among young orcas rather than a calculated attempt to kill humans, as there are no recorded instances of these whales attacking people once the boat has sunk.