The painting depicts the sea, which is witnessing a grandiose natural disaster - a strong storm. The waves raised by the strong wind reach incredible sizes and threaten to sink all ships caught in the open sea. In the center of the picture is a ship that is trying to resist the onslaught of the elements. Her masts are broken, her sails are torn, and she is about to be swallowed up by the waves.
There are people on the deck of the ship who are desperately fighting for their lives. They defended all 8 waves that destroyed their ship. But then the 9th wave is coming, which, according to legend, is the strongest and most dangerous.