Passengers in a motor lifeboat returning to their ship, said to be the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company cruise ship Strathaird (1932), in an unknown location. The full boat is seen from fine off her starboard bow, presumably from the foot of the accommodation ladder of the ship. She has a helmsman amidships at the wheel and two lascar seamen stationed at bow and stern. The lascar at the bow has a boathook and is holding a mooring line. Substantial buildings surrounded by trees are on a headland in the background.