I read a book, not too long ago, in which an AB on the helm in the Suez canal misunderstood the instructions of the pilot who told him to larboard his helm, which he heard as starboard, which put him into the bank of the canal. Fortunately for him and the ship's owners, one of the engineers below realized what was happening and reversed the engines immediately, hauling them back into the channel. If this had not occurrec, the vessel may have had to be dynamited out in order to keep the canal clear.

Seems there was the early phases of WW II on and nothing was allowed to interfere with the flow of cargo. A similar scenario may have occurred in the Titanic situation. Not as implausible as some might think.