The third episode of Heweliusz commences with another poignant flashback, this time ten minutes prior to the distress signal. Second Lieutenant Mączka from ATC Darlłowo answers a call from Captain Ułasiewicz, his voice filled with urgency, informing Lieutenant Słowik of the impending sinking of Heweliusz. The two men race against time, as Ułasiewicz orders his crew to evacuate all passengers onto the lifeboats. A rescue mission is launched with a helicopter, but their exact location remains a mystery. Ułasiewicz, however, chooses to stay aboard, determined to report their position to ATC even as the ship begins to sink. Witek rushes to save his captain, but Ułasiewicz insists he help others instead, refusing to be rescued. This forces Witek to leave his captain behind.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Słowik receives a call instructing him to halt the rescue mission as the Germans have already initiated their operation. The Polish helicopter stalls, while Ułasiewicz remains aboard, picking up a photo of his wife and daughter before sinking with the ship.
In a parallel narrative, Jolanta wakes from a nightmare of Ułasiewicz's demise on the ship and finds Aga watching an old video of their shared moments. Aga is overcome with grief, her memories of her father tearing at her heartstrings.
Witek returns home to his wife and baby, the same woman who had come to the harbour master's office. She inquires about rumors claiming the Heweliusz crew was drunk and that neither the survivors nor the families would receive compensation. Witek urges her to ignore the gossip and sets out for Ułasiewicz's funeral.
Mrs Kaczkowska watches from a distance beside her husband's grave, while captains and ministers offer their condolences to Jolanta and Aga. There, Witek encounters Piotr and inquires about the upcoming summons, wondering if he'll be blamed for the accident. Piotr advises him to cooperate with the investigation, but Witek pins the blame on the ship's faulty ballast system and malfunctioning engines. He insists that Navica Ferries is responsible and urges Piotr to side with the sailors for the sake of his reputation.
Mrs. Kaczkowska finds herself in a precarious financial situation, forced to part with her household appliances for much-needed cash. Her husband's plight doesn't end there; when Witek's wife encounters the company chairman, Mr. Wiesław Kosiorek, she shares their dire circumstances, including the malfunctioning heater. Wiesław, empathetic to their plight, instructs his assistant to provide financial relief.
Meanwhile, Jolanta learns of Aga's absence from school for two weeks, and Aga confesses that she's being bullied due to her father's association with the tragedy. Jolanta swiftly arranges for Aga to stay with her cousins and promises to transfer her to a different school to shield her from further harassment.
Jolanta's own marital troubles come to light when she meets Mrs. Kaczkowska, who accuses Ułasiewicz of killing her husband in an intoxicated state. Jolanta, a staunch defender of her husband, warns them to desist from spreading such falsehoods. Mrs. Kaczkowska laments the financial burden of her husband's funeral and the pawned belongings that sustained her, claiming that Ułasiewicz died as a martyr while her husband died unnoticed.
Jolanta seeks legal counsel from Ignacy Budziz, a lawyer who invites her to his abode for a private discussion. Jolanta expresses her desire to preserve her husband's reputation rather than seek compensation. Meanwhile, a gathering of judges including Piotr meets with Professor Pyzel, a maritime officer, who will preside over the hearing. Both Jolanta and Ignacy attend the packed courtroom as Pyzel calls for Captain Kubara to commence proceedings.
Kubara introduces Wiesław Kosiorek, Chairman of Navica Ferries, who delivers an emotional speech, asserting that all their ships were in pristine condition and denying any culpability. Pyzel then calls Mr. Marek Celej to the stand. Marek is questioned about the stern gate and the judges attempt to establish that it wasn't the cause of the sinking. Ignacy objects, accusing them of attempting to pin the blame on Ułasiewicz.
Marek testifies that Ułasiewicz had refused to overload the ship and adds that one of the trucks onboard belonged to the military with officers present that night. The judges, Pyzel, and Kubara abruptly end the hearing and depart, leaving Jolanta and Ignacy in a state of uncertainty as they continue their fight to clear their client's name.
Piotr inquires of Kubara about the sudden halt, but Pyzel instructs the stenographer to erase Marek's mention of the military. Kubara cautions Piotr to back off if he desires to safeguard himself.
Meanwhile, Ferenc pays a visit to Mrs Kaczkowska and coerces her into giving a false testimony against Ułasiewicz and his crew, threatening to expose Kaczkowski if she refuses. Reluctantly, she agrees.
Piotr peruses the records from the fateful night of the accident and is shocked to discover that the ship carried an astonishing 1160 kilograms of goods. Captain Portu notices Piotr's probing. When he attempts to meet Wiesław, he learns that the chairman is engaged in a TV interview.
After the show, Piotr confronts Wiesław about the extra thirty tonnes of cargo, accusing him of using the Heweliusz to transport weapons illegally for the military. However, Wiesław warns Piotr to remain silent as the episode draws to a close.
