Acts 27:14-20

But soon a very strong wind. A "Northeaster," blowing from the northeast, down from the island. It was a violent hurricane! They tried to keep the ship headed into it, to ride out the storm. But when this failed, they could do nothing to help themselves. Cauda. Nearly fifty miles out from Phoenix. The ship's boat. They had been towing it. And then fastened some ropes. These were dropped under the ship and then pulled tight with levers to strengthen the wooden hull. The sandbanks. These were on the coast of Africa, southwest of Crete. The sailors were afraid of these. So they lowered the sail. The big main sail would have been lowered already. A small storm sail would still be up. If the ship were pointed north, the wind from the northeast would make it drift west. They were trying to avoid the sandbanks to the southwest of them. So on the next day. This shows how serious their condition is! Lipscomb thinks huge beams and timbers which would be used to repair the ship, were lying on the deck. These would be thrown overboard first. The ship's equipment. Anything loose on the deck that could be thrown overboard, such as ropes, levers, tools, etc. For many days. They could not tell just where they were, because they could not see the sun or the stars, and there were no compasses. Gave up all hope. They know now that Paul's prediction had been true.