Acts 27:9-13

We spent a long time there. They were weather-bound, since the wind would not take them the way they must go. The day of Atonement. Ramsay gives this as October 5, 59 A.D. Paul used the Jewish calendar (1 Corinthians 16:8). It would not be strange for Luke to do this also. The storms of winter made sailing dangerous. Since they navigated by the stars, the clouds and darkness of winter would be a real problem. So Paul gave them this advice. What Paul says is not a revelation from God, but practical experience. But the army officer was convinced. He would be expected to listen to the captain and the owner of the ship. Safe Harbors was not the best place to stay, and they decide to make an attempt to reach Phoenix, less than forty miles along the coast to the west. A soft wind from the sooth. This makes them confident of success.