The trading ship "MS Fichte" got some new crew members. A new captain, as well as a cook who never set foot on a ship before. An accident, an error in the ships engine becomes a stress test for this new crew.
The "MS Fichte" can not take off without a radio operator. As the young radio operator Peterson comes back ashore, he would like to help. To do that he would have to again postpone his wedding. The captain searches for a compromise.
Although the seaman Winfried is new on the "MS Fichte", the captain entrusts him with the loading work. Wilfried leaves his post to fetch water for the dockers. This leads to a fire that causes great damage.