A variety of shipping is shown on a rough sea. In the centre a fishing boat, or herring buss used for catching herring, moves through the waves. In the foreground to the right, a coastal craft, probably a river barge, is shown with its leeboard visible. There is a larger vessel in the distance on the left, which is either a merchantman or a man-of-war. Two thirds of the painting consists of sky, and the inclusion of dark clouds suggests the ships have been caught in a sudden squall.

The artist was a marine painter of some prominence who may have been taught by Jan Porcellis. He was commissioned to create some paintings for the burgomasters of Leiden and served several terms of office as Master of the Leiden Guild founded in 1648. The painting is signed on the log 'STO'.