Watched by both factions from shore, the English fleet closed on the Genoese in the entrance to the Penfeld River where they were anchored in a vertical line. The Genoese did not even attempt to move, many ships were missing crews on leave ashore and the commander seems to have failed to communicate the orders to make for the open roadstead where his ships could have beaten off the English and prevented the reinforcement of Brest.
Both sides observed as the English fleet moved towards the Genoese ships anchored in a vertical line at the Penfeld River entrance. The Genoese did not attempt to flee; many ships had no crews ashore on leave, and the commander failed to instruct them to retreat to an open roadstead where they could have defended themselves against the English and stopped Brest from being reinforced.