As Exeter had too much draft for the Bali Strait, it was decided to go via Sunda Strait, which was thought still open; the morning of 1 March found the three Allied ships west-northwest of Bawean island, heading westwards.
Karena terlalu banyak muatan ke Selat Bali, Exeter diputuskan untuk pergi melalui Selat Sunda, yang diperkirakan masih terbuka; pada pagi 1 Maret bertemu dengan 3 kapal Sekutu di barat laut Pulau Bawean, mengarah ke barat.