The image is viewed from a lower perspective, looking across the deck of a ship. The horizon is not distinctly visible, likely obscured by the tumultuous sea and the mass of ropes and sailors depicted. The etching style is prominent, with precise lines conveying movement, particularly in the waves and figures. The composition is monochromatic, dominated by shades of brown and black. Closest to us, a group of sailors struggle against the forces of the sea, their forms detailed with lines that convey tension. Beyond, ropes extend diagonally across the image, leading the eye further into the scene, where the sea's waves are captured in fluid strokes. In the background, a mast rises, surrounded by rigging.