The crew of a soviet cargo falls prey to an act of piracy in waters between China and Taiwan, and are taken to Taiwan where they are pressured into stating they chose to go into the free world.

A talented craftsman Andrei Panchenko has been appointed head of a large mine. He is full of hope and happy, because next to him is his beloved, charming and reliable Tamara. But not everything goes well for him at work, and a chance meeting with his childhood friend, the lively and cocky Nelka, completely turned his head. The young guy's warm heart is torn between love and duty, and soon Andrei finds himself at a serious crossroads in life...

The historical and revolutionary film tells about how during the civil war in Sevastopol the Bolshevik Alekseev and the investigator of the Tsarist Okhrana Yarnovsky met. The plot of the picture is based on the story of their meetings in the past.

In one of the small towns of West Germany there is a camp for displaced persons, where hundreds of Soviet people languish. An underground group, led by Sevastopol sailor Andrei Makarov, operates in the camp. The Americans manage to intercept the first list of people who want to return to the Soviet Union. Major Peterson, with the help of Belin and Tsupovych, tries to recruit Soviet people to work in Brazil. But a second list for repatriation has already been drawn up. Peterson arrests Andrei Makarov. The Americans accuse him of the murder of Anna Robchuk, who actually died at the hands of Belin. The underground, with the help of German anti-fascists, manages to get the list to the Soviet mission. Soon a ship with Soviet people who have returned to their native land approaches the pier of the Odesa port.

Alexei Kovalchuk, who dreams of distant voyages, currently serves on the rescue ship Gremuchiy and annoys the entire crew with his lack of discipline. The captain and sailors desperately try to reform him. But it is only when battling the elements to rescue the stricken ship Belogorsk that Alexei shows composure and determination — and ultimately decides to stay on the Gremuchiy.

The main character, Shurka, at the beginning of the movie is full of childish illusions and false romantic notions about the sea and the life of sailors, about long voyages and big ships. With these illusions he begins his voyage. But book romance gives way to a realized love for the sea, understanding of the people with whom he was confronted by life on a small fishing seiner. At first he is disappointed and dissatisfied with everything. But gradually he realizes his love for the sea and becomes a full member of the fishermen's collective.