A portrait of a ship at anchor, shown broadside to port, with a low coastline rising to the right. It flies the Dutch flag and pennant from the main and the flag of the ensign of the Zeeland Admiralty of the States General at the stern. The pennant at the mizzen also identifies the ship as from the province of Zeeland. There is a small merchant vessel on the right and other ships in the distance. A boat is being rowed out to the main ship from the left, bearing three passengers, and a man standing in the bow with a boathook. The painting may be a portrait of a particular ship, or denote a specific incident.

The artist was born and died in Utrecht and was one of the sons of Adam Willarts (1577-1664). He and his younger brother, Isaac, took up their father's profession and became marine painters. Abraham worked in Paris under Simon Vouet and then went into service of Prince Maurits in Holland. The painting is signed and dated 1643, on the Dutch flag on the mainmast.