AUSSIE FAMILY IN PIRATE TERROR

A CAIRNS family’s dream trip sailing around the world became a nightmare when they were terrorised by pirates.

Louise Turner, husband Lachin and their children were saved by the timely arrival of Pakistani and Japanese warships.

The family first saw a pirate skiff zeroing in on their catamaran AraKai in the Gulf of Aden, off Yemen in the Middle East.

“We were essentially sitting ducks,” Ms Turner said. “We were at the wrong place at the wrong time. We were completely vulnerable.”

More pirate skiffs soon arrived, targeting the family with well-orchestrated manoeuvres.

Terrified for their safety, particularly that of their children Siara, 11, and Kai, 4, Ms Turner made a frantic mayday call, saying they were under “imminent pirate attack”.

After hours of a cat and mouse chase while a Japanese plane kept tabs on the pirates, the Turners were told: “Three (pirate) skiffs on fast approach”.

“Fate intervened, and we believe it was only by minutes. The appearance of two warships on the horizon thwarted the attack,” Ms Turner said.

Louise and Lachin Turner with their children, Siara, 11, and Kai, 4, aboard the catamaran and (below) one of the pirate skiffs and the Pakistani warship that came to their aid off Yemen.