 Bullen was appointed to 38 gun frigate, HMS "Volontaire" on 7 September 1807 and spent the next three years helping to maintain the blockade of Toulon and in operations along the French and Spanish coasts including the conveyance of the Duc D'Orleans and his brother the Comte de Beaujolais to Malta.When Spain declared war on France in May 1808, Bullen was ordered to undertake an overland expedition from Fez to Tangiers to purchase arms for the Spanish rebels.In 1809 he undertook a series of raids along the French coast, capturing the island of Pomegues and destroying Fort Rioux near Cape Croisette.