 On entering service, "M773" joined the 26th Minesweeper Division based at Brest in Brittany.The minesweepers of the 26th Division were employed on clearing wartime mines, together with normal training operations.In 1958, "M773", together with sister ships "M772" (later named "Armoise") and "M789" (later named "Pétunia") visited Douala in Cameroon.