The man in the black hat is a traveler who wants to return to his family.  He has been on a long business trip in Norway and wants to try and make this next ship back to Spain.  The man in the white hat works on the ship and is currently explaining to the man that the ship is full.  The travelor is very disappointed but slips the guy some money.  The shipman eventually finds an extra room and lets the man on so he can finally see his family. 
