Acts 27:33-38

Paul begged them all to eat some food. He seems to have taken charge of things in this crisis. They had eaten nothing for a long time (Acts 27:21), and were weak from hunger. Not even a hair of your heads will be lost. The angel had assured him of this. After saying this. Paul puts his words into action. He takes bread, gives thanks to God so that all can hear, broke off a piece, and began to eat. They took courage. Paul's calm example strengthens their belief of what he has told them. Two hundred and seventy-six of us on board. This shows how large the ship was. [Josephus says there were about 600 in the ship that took him to Italy.] They lightened the ship. In order to go as far up on the beach as possible, the cargo of wheat is taken out of the hold and thrown into the sea. In Acts 27:18 it was the cargo on deck, or at least only a part of the cargo. Egypt then exported much grain to Italy.