The British commander in the Indian Ocean, Rear-Admiral Peter Rainier, was preoccupied with protecting merchant shipping off India during 1804 and 1805 to be able to risk an expedition to the Java Sea.
Komandan Inggris di Samudera Hindia, Laksamana Muda Peter Rainier, disibukkan dengan melindungi para pedagang yang berlayar keluar India sepanjang 1804 dan 1805 demi bisa berangkat (secara berisiko) ke Laut Jawa.