Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 27:30

"And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship," — Acts 27:30 (ASV)

The shipmen. The sailors, leaving the prisoners.

Under colour. Under pretence. They pretended that it was necessary to get into the boat and carry the anchors ahead of the ship to make it secure, but with the real intention of making for the shore.

Out of the foreship. From the prow, to make the fore part of the ship secure. The reason they did this was probably that they expected the ship would go to pieces; and since all on board could not be saved in one small boat, they resolved to escape to a place of safety as soon as possible.