The tempestuous sea dominates the scene, its churning waves threatening the small sailing vessels caught within its grasp. The artist masterfully captures the drama of the moment, with the billowing clouds overhead amplifying the sense of impending doom. The composition draws the eye from the rough shoreline, where figures struggle to secure a boat, out towards the open water and the perilous journey of the ships. The use of light and shadow is striking, with a dramatic interplay between the dark, stormy sky and the glimmers of light that break through, illuminating the crests of the waves and highlighting the precarious situation of the boats.