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 Shea - Operations Manager
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 Shea - Principal
Gary Shea – Principal

Gary is the Principal 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 and is excellent at training for heavy weather conditions.

Nick Macpherson – Chief Instructor

Nick Macpherson - Chief Instructor
Nick Macpherson – Chief Instructor

Nick is Oceanwest’s Chief Instructor. He 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.

star rating  Thorough,highly professional and fun. Gary takes the time to ensure you not only understand the principles of sailing but can apply them too.

Bram75
March 9, 2020

star rating  Gary is a highly competent, professional, friendly and calm instructor. He managed to get me up to speed and ready for my Yacht master exam in just five days and... read more

Marineboheme
May 30, 2019

star rating  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

GIANLUCA C
May 29, 2019