The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land.
We have here the issue of the distress of Paul and his fellow-travellers; they escaped with their lives and that was all, and that was for Paul's sake. We are here told (Act 27:37) what number there were on board - mariners, merchants, soldiers, prisoners, and other passengers, in all two hundred and seventy-six souls; this is taken notice of to make us the more...
Commenting on Acts 27:21-44
Verse 44. And the rest. Those who could not swim. They escaped all safe to land. According to the promise which was made to Paul, . This was done by the special Providence of God. It was a remarkable instance of Divine interposition to save so many through so long-continued dangers; and it shows that God can defend in any perils, and can accomplish all his purposes.
And the rest, some on boards, and some on [broken pieces] of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. (14) The goodness of God overcomes man's malice.