The New Zealander now in charge of the United States-led fight against piracy in the Gulf of Aden says he does not feel endangered by the task.
Navy Captain Jim Gilmour begins three months in command of a coalition of ships patrolling waters near Somalia on Friday.
[image:2379:half:right]It is the first time in decades a Royal New Zealand naval officer has commanded a major multinational task force.
Captain Gilmour says his mission is to deter and destroy pirate ships if necessary, but he also has a diplomatic role to get local governments to help fight piracy.
He told Morning Report he does not feel his safety is at risk.
"I'll be sitting on a very capable ship and I have about five or six ships that are going to be part of our taskforce."
The ships head to sea on Saturday.
