The fourth episode of Heweliusz plunges us into another vivid flashback, this time ten minutes prior to the distress signal. Second Lieutenant Mączka from ATC Darłłowo answers a call from Captain Ułasiewicz, his voice laden with urgency, informing Lieutenant Słowik of the impending sinking of the Heweliusz. The two men race against the clock, frantically trying to coordinate a response while Ułasiewicz orders his crew to evacuate all passengers onto the lifeboats.
A rescue helicopter is dispatched, but they are blind without the ship's exact location. Ułasiewicz, with a steely determination, orders the crew to leave the sinking ship, choosing to stay behind to report their position to ATC. Witek rushes to save Ułasiewicz, but the captain firmly asks him to prioritize helping others. Ułasiewicz refuses to be rescued, forcing Witek to leave him behind with a heavy heart.
As the Polish helicopter stalls in the sky, Ułasiewicz remains aboard, picking up a photo of his wife and daughter, his eyes fixed on the horizon as the ship slowly disappears beneath the waves.
Jolanta wakes from a nightmare of Ułasiewicz's demise on the ship, finding Aga watching an old video of their shared moments together. Aga breaks down, her memories of her father raw and painful.
Witek returns home to his wife and baby—the same woman who had come to the harbour master's office that fateful day. She inquires about rumors claiming the Heweliusz crew was drunk and that neither survivors nor families would receive compensation. Witek urges her to ignore the gossip and heads to Ułasiewicz's funeral.
Mrs. Kaczkowska watches from a distance beside her husband's grave, as captains and ministers offer their condolences to Jolanta and Aga. The scene is one of solemn tribute, a testament to the heroism and sacrifice of those who perished on the Heweliusz.
In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Witek encounters Piotr and inquires about the impending summons, his heart pounding with fear of being held accountable for the tragic accident. Piotr urges him to cooperate fully with the investigation, but Witek shifts the blame to the ship's faulty ballast system and malfunctioning engines, insisting that Navica Ferries bears the responsibility. He implores Piotr to side with the sailors for the sake of his own reputation.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kaczkowska is struggling financially and is forced to sell her household appliances for cash. Witek's wife meets with Mr. Wiesław Kosiorek, the company chairman, and shares their struggles, including the broken heater. Wiesław instructs his assistant to provide her with financial assistance.
Jolanta learns that Aga has been absent from school for two weeks due to being bullied for being the daughter of the man blamed for the tragedy. Jolanta sends her to stay with her cousins and promises to transfer her to a different school.
As Jolanta meets with Mrs. Kaczkowska, who accuses Ułasiewicz of killing her husband in a drunken state, Jolanta defends her husband and warns them to back off. Mrs. Kaczkowska explains that she had to pay for her husband's funeral and pawn her belongings to survive, claiming that Ułasiewicz died as a martyr while her husband died an unnoticed death.
Jolanta visits lawyer Ignacy Budziz, who takes her to his home for a heart-to-heart discussion about the case. Jolanta expresses her desire to save her husband's reputation rather than seek compensation. Meanwhile, Piotr and other judges meet with Professor Pyzel, a maritime officer who will lead the hearing. Jolanta and Ignacy attend the packed courtroom, filled with anticipation and emotion.
Pyzel asks Captain Kubara to commence proceedings, and Kubara invites Wiesław Kosiorek, Chairman of Navica Ferries, to speak first. Wiesław delivers a passionate speech, claiming that all their ships were in perfect condition and denying any blame. Pyzel then calls Mr. Marek Celej to the stand, where he is questioned about the stern gate, and the judges try to make him confirm that it wasn't the cause of the sinking. Ignacy objects, accusing them of trying to pin the blame on Ułasiewicz, adding fuel to an already tense situation.
Marek asserts that Ułasiewicz steadfastly refused to overburden the ship, further stating that one of the trucks on board belonged to the military, with officers present that fateful night. The judges, Pyzel and Kubara, abruptly conclude the hearing and depart the scene.
Piotr inquires Kubara about the sudden halt, but Pyzel instructs the stenographer to erase Marek's mention of the military from the record. Kubara cautions Piotr to back off if he values his own safety.
Meanwhile, Ferenc pays a visit to Mrs. Kaczkowska and applies pressure, threatening to expose Kaczkowski if she refuses to falsely testify against Ułasiewicz and his crew. She agrees reluctantly.
Piotr delves into the records from the night of the accident and discovers that the ship carried an astonishing 1160 kilograms of goods, shocking him to the core. Captain Portu notices Piotr's investigation and remains vigilant.
After a TV interview, Piotr confronts Wiesław about the extra thirty tonnes of cargo, accusing him of using the Heweliusz to illegally transport weapons for the military. However, the chairman warns Piotr to remain silent as the episode comes to an end.
