 Returning in time for service in the French Revolutionary War, Lapenotière travelled to the West Indies in the fleet under John Jervis in HMS "Margarita", being briefly appointed lieutenant into HMS "Boyne" before his superior knowledge of seamanship earned him a temporary independent command in the schooner HMS "Berbice".In 1796 he was transferred into the frigate HMS "Resource" and from there into four other ships, each of them without event or action.By 1800, he had yet to spend a full year in any ship but was given the small cutter "Joseph", as a reward for his patience.