Lying at anchor on the left is a three-masted armed merchantman from Hoorn, of the type used on the trade routes to the Mediterranean and the East Indies. It is a pinnace built around 1600, and is flying the flag of Hoorn on the mainmast and the Dutch tricolour as ensign. The vessels to the right are a two-masted yacht under sail and the Hoorn-Amsterdam ferry, which is of the kaag type used for carrying both cargo and passengers. Further to the right is a second ferry with the red lion flag of the States-General, which was the official standard of the Dutch Republic, and a red, white and blue Prince’s flag. In the background a merchantman is about to weigh anchor.

Beyond is the town of Hoorn with, from left to right, the windmills on Westerdijk, the North Church, the Weigh-House, the wooden belfry of St Jan’s Hospital, the Great Church, the Main Tower at the harbour entrance, the East Church, and on the far right the buildings of the Dutch West India Company (WIC).