Merchant Marine sailor Jack, along with his buddies Tripod and Ginger, works hard while at sea, but drinks and carouses his way through the world's ports. He feels himself an indomitable force until he falls for Joan, a clerk who repeatedly repels his advances every time he comes into port. Only after a number of years is he able to see her alone and convince her to marry him. Before they move to a new place, Tripod and Ginger buy Jack a drink, which leads to another drunken night that ends with him signed on to another ship. Realizing Jack plans to return to the sea, Joan leaves him. Sometime later, having become a quartermaster on an ocean liner, Jack meets up with Joan onboard ship, but she is still unforgiving. When a storm wrecks a nearby ship and Jack joins Tripod, Ginger and others to rescue the crew, the pals are presumed lost at sea. However, they are rescued by a whaling vessel and eventually returned to port. Realizing her true feelings for Jack, Joan greets him on the dock. After each lays down the law on conditions for getting back together, Jack and Joan happily give their marriage another chance.