About us

Oceanwest Charters is a locally owned, family run business providing high quality sail training and sailing charters on the west coast. Oceanwest is owned by Gary and Joeanne Shea.

We have a great deal of investment in our reputation as a quality sailing provider. You will find professional, friendly service onboard, and personal attention to detail.

Please contact us on 0412 060 130 or email sailing@oceanwest.net.au and read our reviews on Trip Advisor

Joeanne Shea – Operations Manager

Joeanne is the Oceanwest Operations Manager (and RYA Dayskipper) who takes care of all the administration. Being a self confessed foodie, she loves to look after all of the catering arrangements. Her aim is to provide you with the best possible sailing experience.

Joeanne’s standards are:

• Modern reliable yachts surveyed to AMSA and Western Australian Government standards.
• Professional Yachtmaster qualified Skippers / Instructors who respect our customers.
• Providing value for money, live aboard learn to sail courses, sailing holidays and day charters.
• Providing quality certified safety equipment.
• Having an absolute commitment to customer service.
• Good communication with customers.

Gary Shea – Principal / Chief Instructor

Gary is the Principal and Chief Instructor of the Sailing School and a RYA Yachtmaster Instructor / Examiner. In addition to this, he also holds an Australian Master 24m commercial qualification.

This combination of qualifications means that he has met the exacting requirements of the RYA / Australian Sailing as well as the West Australian Government and AMSA.

Gary has sailed the West Coast of Australia, Queensland, the Mediterranean, and the UK. He has well over 50,000 cruising miles on yachts and knows the West Australian coast intimately.

Having spent over 22 years as an engineer in the Royal Navy, Gary appreciates safety as the most important consideration.

Nick Macpherson – RYA Yachtmaster Instructor

Nick is a RYA Yachtmaster Instructor who also holds an Australian Master 24m commercial qualification and MED 2 engineering qualification. He has an extensive sailing background from working as a sailing instructor, to blue water yacht deliveries to even completing a leg of the Clipper Race from South Africa to Fremantle!

From his time spent working in the offshore oil and gas industry, Nick has become an experienced Master of both mono and twin hull vessels, with both single and twin engines and jet powered vessels. He is also a prolific tea drinker!

Nick will always work hard to ensure that you get the most out of your training and that you enjoy your time out on the water with him.

 

Phil Lucks – RYA Cruising Instructor

Phil is an RYA Cruising Instructor and also holds the AMSA Sailing Master Offshore qualification. He has sailed in UK waters and operated charters in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.  Phil is passionate about sharing his sailing knowledge and experience and ensures that everyone gets the most out of their training course. In what seems to be a tradition with Oceanwest Instructors, Phil is also a prolific tea drinker!