About us / Contact 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 recently qualified 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

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 – Yachtmaster Instructor

Nick Macpherson - Chief Instructor — Nick Macpherson – Chief 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.

					  Hi, my name is Gianluca Cavaiola, I'm an Italian kiteboarder and surfer and the last October I had my first sailing experience with Gary, the instructor and owner of Oceanwest... read more Charter. I started from the "Competent Crew" sailing course and after that, I literally couldn't stop. The course was amazing, on a beautiful boat (Oceanis 41.1) at Geographe Bay near Busselton. During this course, I've learned so much, and for this reason, I decided to run through the theory courses (day skipper and Coastal skipper theory courses). I passed the theory exams and I went back on board of Gary's boat for two more weeks. During these two weeks, I become Day skipper and Coastal skipper and I had two perfect instructors: Gary and Nick. Their teaching techniques are brilliant, they always had the answer to all my questions and doubts. During the Coastal Skipper course, I had a chat with Gary and together we decided that my skills were high enough to give a try to the Yacht-Master exam. So, I booked one more practical course in may and Gary prepared myself for the exam in the best way possible. On the first day of the preparation course I was completely scared about the exam, but day after day, thanks to Gary I felt better and when the exam on Saturday came I was 100% ready and relaxed for it. After a long examination day, I passed my exam. My season with Oceanwest has been amazing and I couldn't imagine achieving this goal just in few months. I strongly recommend Oceanwest, a perfect sailing school for everyone and for every sailing level. The instructor skills and experience are so high that for me was always a good moment to learn something.  I'm proud that I've been one of your first students and also your last one for this season. Thank you, I do hope to see you soon for more.				
GIANLUCA C
May 29, 2019 

					  I don’t think the English language has words that adequately describe how bloody fantastic this weekend was!! Thank you Gary, your tutelage was fabulous and thank you Joanne for your... read more fantastic logistical prowess to make this a smooth sailing course - not to mention the delicious victualling!!!

Thanks you, thank you, thank you!				
James C
November 19, 2023 

					  Fantastic course - would highly recommend recommend it to all wanting to improve their yachting skills. Gary is a talented, patient instructor who delivers excellent training.

We will certainly be... read more lining up for further courses and requesting Gary as an instructor				
juliepK7176MK
February 7, 2020 