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.
Listen to Morning Report interview with Captain Jim Gilmour