Policy first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1802 with G. Clark, master, Hurry & Co., owners, and trade London–South Seas.

[1] 1st whaling voyage (1802–1803): Captain Charles Clark sailed from London on 22 April 1802, during the period of the Peace of Amiens.

[5] On 6 June 1804 Policy captured the Dutch brig Trial between Sandal Wood and Floris Islands.

He engaged the others to help him navigate both Policy and Swift, promising to pay their existing contractual wages.

[7] The vice admiralty court in Sydney on 27 November declared Swift a lawful prize to Captain Foster.

[10] Captain Foster also brought news from Timor of the loss, probably in mid-June, of Mersey in the Torres Strait.

[5] The Register of Shipping for 1806 showed Policy's master changing from C. Forster to J. Garwood, and her owner from I.

[5] Merchantman (1807–1811): During this period Captain Jarwood (or Garwood), sailed Policy between England and Cadiz or Gibraltar.

[5] On 29 April 1813 boats from USS Essex, Captain David Porter, captured the British whalers Policy, Montezuma, and Georgiana.

On 4 December 1813 HMS Ramillies and Loire recaptured Policy, J.Bowman, master, and sent her into Halifax, Nova Scotia.

[15] Lloyd's List gave the date of capture as 11 December, the location as "off Sandy Hook", and the name of her master as Brown.

[17] Policy's owners applied for a licence to sail to certain ports in the East Indies under the provisions for whalers.

[5] 6th whaling voyage (1817–1820): Captain Francis Stavers sailed from London on 4 November 1817, bound for the Galápagos Islands.

[20] A letter from Jamaica, dated 3 December 1819, reported that while Policy was off the coast of Chile the Chilean Squadron, under the command of Lord Cochrane, had fired on her.

Boats from the Squadron boarded her and warned Stavers not to come within 18 leagues of the coast or risk being detained and taken into Valparaiso.

Policy immediately grounded on the Sands at Margate but boats got her off and there did not appear to be material damage.

[22] Then on 22 October Policy, Branton, master, was at Deal when a gale hit the British coast.