George Honfleur, eldest son of Jamie, whose father sailed as cooks mate on the final voyage of Louis-Antoine de Bourgainville, the explorer who founded Rio de Janeiro, has not inherited the adventurous disposition of his grandfather. He does not cherish the longing to travel to undiscovered worlds and find new peoples. But he has been touched with the love for everything that has anything to do with ships. His  "Cerele Nautic Honfleur" contains everything the modern seafarer needs.

Furthermore he also has a small sloop in the harbour, in which he paddles along the ships moored in the harbour asking if there is anything they require. In the meantime, his daughter, Maxime, who has reached the age when she should know better, is in love with Daniel Chantiers of boat repairs "Chantiers Navals", a through and through rake, just like his brother Philippe, whose main occupation in life is going out. He suspects the old Chantiers of pushing the two together, because he and Lucien share the same waters. But he will not make a gift of his business to Daniel Chantiers. He would rather sell the lot to the bank of Philippe de Moissy or to Laurent Avernes, who would like to get out of his brothers fishmongers shop "Chez Pierre" and would maybe like to try  his hand at something different.

But his biggest hope lies with his second daughter Francine, who is still very young. She is highly curious and very advanced for her age, so it could just be possible. After all, Angélique Cerny runs her "Antique Angélique", Gérardine Domont her hotel "Chez Gérardine" and Anne Chailly her restaurant "Deauville". So why shouldn’t Francine not be able to take over his business? Because ships are men’s business?