 During this mission he encountered a tempest that lasted for two months and confined his ship, the "San Carlo", to the coasts; during this storm he narrowly escaped shipwreck and gave proof of his seamanship and command skills, earning universal acclaim on his return to Venice in August 1759.In 1760 he was "Provvedditore della Sanità" (health commissioner), but in the next year he was commander of a squadron of one ship of the line and two frigates, sent against the Barbary pirates praying on Venetian shipping.Until 1767 he alternated between anti-piracy commands and public office in Venice.