The story of a naval officer who has to change his identity because of his prewar past. His expertise and experience allow him to gain respect in current times.
Andrzej was a Master mariner. After war he settled in a small port by the Baltic Sea. He changed his surname to hide his past. The new authorities are wary, they treat him as if he were a suspect. Nonetheless the port captain gives him the responsible task of rebuilding the breakwater. Andrzej lives in a run-down, post-German, looted sailboat Yokmok which he shares with a boy he’s adopted – Pietrek. They like each other very much, even though the boy won’t talk about himself. Andrzej puts his heart into rebuilding the ship. A storm comes and floods the incomplete breakwater. Andrzej sinks the ship to save the breakwater. His sacrifice wins him the trust of the authorities.
