I dont think its an unrealistic concept and would certainly be welcome for adding an extra layer of said realism to sinking in general, HOWEVER; I do think this feature has the potential for a two fold problem right out of the gate.
The first is more a technical issue. This game at the BEST of times has trouble rendering, loading and maintaining itself when so much is trying to load and keep track. The advantage with the Barrels O' Plenty, and the Merchant Voyages, and even Radiant Sunken ships is they just "spawn" off screen.
Loot from a players ship simply floats up when the ships geometry disappears, its not like the loot itself just disappears and reappears when you sink a players ship.
The Debris would then have to be a separate new spawn in item evetime a ship is scuttled or sunk, and the barrels would then have to keep track of what supplies are in AFTER they sink, and you would need to reprogram the static barrels on each ship, then you have the ships of different sizes with more barrels etc etc. Thats a lot to keep track of in an instant assuming it does not crash the server while trying to maintain all the other standard Ocean, Wind, Hit Reg, and standard rendering and loading mechanics. (And this is to say nothing of the implications if it were to be added to AI ships during a Fleet or Radiant encounter)
Let me be clear, I dont think its IMPOSSIBLE to achieve, I simply question the probability of it, due to the other still present technical issue with game seems to retain and gain with each new update.
The only other problem I could see, outside of the technical standpoint is abusability with self scuttling to gain large amounts of supplies, specifically where a rowboat, or multiple rowboats are concerned. Sure its a tad time consuming, but to instantly double your supplies or more just by having a rowboat ready to gather up what you had, or a spare storage crate and just bring your fresh spawned ship back. While technically you could argue its abusable now, its less viable because you lose all supplies in barrels after you sink. It requires a rowboat, and a crate, or at least a willing alliance ship to partner with. This removes part of that by ensuring supplies are not lost upon the initial sink.
IDK, perhaps that's not as much of an issue, but its one to consider, when including the implications pf such a mechanic. (Sort of like scuttling in arena for better position and more supplies.)
