I’ll Tell You Why They Won’t Find Malaysia Air Flight 370

I’ve Sailed Halfway Around the World—and Few Places Are As Dangerous As the Indian Ocean

Cape Leeuwin represents the southwestern-most point of Australia. Five years ago last month I stood atop its lighthouse, looked at the hostile sea state at the confluence of the Southern and Indian Oceans, turned to my wife and softly muttered, “No, thank you.”

She and I have spent recent years sailing our boat more than halfway around the world, including a three-week trip across the Pacific Ocean from the Galapagos to Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. When we tell people this, their first question most often is …