The matter was earnestly discussed, and was finally referred by the centurion to Paul, who had won the respect of both sailors and soldiers. The apostle unhesitatingly advised that they remain where they were. Said he, “Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.” But the owner of the ship, who was on board, and the majority of passengers and crew, were unwilling to accept this counsel. They urged that the harbor of Fair Havens was but imperfectly protected from the wintry winds, and that the neighboring town, being so small, would afford little occupation for three hundred sailors and passengers during a stay of several months. Port Phenice, but thirty-four miles distant, had a well-sheltered harbor, and was in all other respects a far more desirable place in which to winter.{LP 264.1}

Sagen blev diskutteret alvorligt, og til sidst sendte høvedsmanden sagen videre til Paulus, som havde vundet både sømændene og soldaternes respekt. Apostlen rådede uden tøven til at de skulle blive hvor de var. Han sagde: »Folk! jeg ser, at denne sejlads vil medføre ulykke og store tab, ikke blot af ladning og skib, men også af menneskeliv.« Men skibsejeren, som var om bord, og de fleste af passagerne og personalet, ville ikke følge dette råd. De holdt på at de »Gode Havne« ikke var nok beskyttet mod vintervindene, og at nabobyen, der var så lille, kun kunne huse trehundrede sømænd og passagerer under et ophold på flere måneder. Fønikiens havn, kun halvtreds kilometer der fra, havde en velbeskyttet havn, og var i alle henseender et langt mere ønskværdigt sted at overvintre.