Another latent error was the fact that there had been no shakedown or practice cruise.

Although the ship's officers and sailors were some of the most experienced mariners in the White Star fleet, they had not worked together as a crew, nor were they familiar with the ship.

On her maiden voyage, the Titanic took along 1500 passengers while a crew of 500 was learning to work together and operate this new vessel. One problem was that the man responsible for lookout did not know where to find the binoculars.