Why Cochrane missed Nelson's fleet

Where was Cochrane, and why did he not join Nelson?

Cochrane and the French squadron under Missiessy were chasing around the West Indies without meeting their respective main fleets.

Cochrane and Missiessy were pursuing separate movements around the West Indies without joining their respective main fleets. Their absence therefore arose from the campaign's missed junctions. If Cochrane had joined Nelson and Missiessy had joined Villeneuve, both fleets would have gained reinforcements and Cochrane would probably have served as Nelson's second in command.