{They knew not} (ouk epegin(9373)kon). Imperfect active of
epigin(9373)k(935c), to recognize. Probably conative, tried to recognize
and could not (Conybeare and Howson). The island was well-known
( 28:1 , epegn(936d)en), but St. Paul's Bay where the wreck took
place was some distance from the main harbour (Valetta) of Melita
(Malta). {They perceived} (katenooun). Imperfect active of
katanoe(935c), gradually perceived after some effort as in  11:16 .
This beach seemed their only hope. {They took counsel}
(ebouleuonto). Imperfect middle showing the process of
deliberation and doubt. The bay "having a beach" (echonta
aigialon) is a phrase found in Xenophon's _Anabasis_ VI. 4, 4.
{Whether they could drive} (ei dunainto eks(9373)ai). This use of
the optative with ei in questions of this sort (implied
indirect) is a neat Greek idiom (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1021).
B C Bohairic read eks(9373)ai (first aorist active infinitive of
eks(937a)(935c)), to save out (so Westcott and Hort), instead of
ex(9373)ai (from ex(9374)he(935c), to push out, as Textus Receptus).