Explanation:

Miss the boat: If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't act quickly enough.
Ex: I managed to get my order through before the end of the special offer - but I nearly missed the boat!
As per the meaning above, acted quickly is opposite to the correct meaning.
Options C and D are irrelevant.
Only acted late matches with the context. But none of the above is also in options
Hence, option E is correct.