A small sprit-rigged coastal craft moves through the water, with a brig in the distance to the left, and other small craft beyond and to the right. The cliffs of a coastline are visible in the background to the left and centre, together with the tower of the church and a variety of buildings at Cowes. Chambers worked in the Isle of Wight for a time, sketching the headlands on the south of the island. The figures in the central craft have been carefully described; the man in the rust-coloured jacket has his right hand on the tiller; the man in the foreground with his back to the viewer leans to the right across the boat towards a man in a red cap facing him. Next to him, to the left, a woman is seated wearing a red shawl and a black hat. Although the boat is clearly making a swift passage, its occupants may normally have been involved in fishing, since two baskets can be seen slung over the side. A substantial mooring buoy to right of centre in the foreground adds to the depth of the view.

Chambers, the son of a poor mariner in Whitby, Yorkshire, followed his father to sea at the age of ten. After several years he became apprenticed to a house and ship-painter where his skill at lettering and marking whale-boats attracted attention. He was greatly admired for the details of his marine paintings, particularly those showing details of the crew performing naval tasks. Following his arrival in London, Chambers initially copied history paintings and then received many new commissions, including several from William IV.