On the Dutch North Sea coast among fishing families. the wholesaler and ship owner Bos is only interested in profit and, out of pure greed, he risks the lives of his fishermen, who set out to sea to catch herring for him. One of his ships, a veritable coffin, is to set sail once again, and Bos has the rickety vessel patched up as best he can. To avoid losses in the event of a likely shipwreck, he takes out high insurance on the sloop. For old mother Kniertje Vermeer, this is no reason to prevent her sons Geert and Barend from signing on to the ship. An experienced old shipwright warns everyone not to board this "floating coffin," but no one heeds his well-intentioned warning.