The navy frigate Te Mana has joined a multinational operation to combat piracy off the coast of Africa and the Middle East.
Te Mana is partway through a three-month deployment in the Gulfs of Aden and Oman to deter pirate boats plundering the many merchant ships passing through.
Commanding officer Shane Arndell saysTe Mana has not encountered any pirates yet but any it does find are unlikely to try to engage the frigate in a fire-fight.
Mr Arndell says the fishermen the naval officers have encountered have been pleased to see the frigate, because pirates will sometimes steal their fuel and even their boats.
