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.