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.

					  We had a great week completing our RYA Coastal skippers coarse.  Our Skipper Nic  is a highly skilled, knowledgeable and experienced instructor. He has a very patient, friendly... read more and relaxed manner that puts people at ease, promoting confidence and enthusiasm to learn, and such friendly chap. 

Sailing Geograph Bay and up to Bunbury on Samsara  was a awesome way to spend the week.

Thank you to Nic and Gary from Oceanwest Charters				
craigpM1755WN
January 25, 2021 

					  Just returned from a two week adventure sailing trip from Exmouth to Bunbury, it was a fantastic 14 days of learning and adventure. We were welcomed to the yacht early... read more and helped to settle in. Made to feel very welcome. Great introductions and given time to discuss what we wanted to gain from our time on-board. 

Fantastic yacht, Samsara is a delight to sail and it is a genuine privilege to spend time aboard. The food was varied and plentiful, with careful attention to victualling so that there was always easily accessible and wholesome food available. 

Very professional, great instruction focused to individual requirements offering a very enjoyable environment to learn. Nick was so knowledgeable, not only about sailing but also any wildlife we encountered, always willing to share his knowledge. He was inspiring and encouraging throughout the journey, even when asked questions during the night watches. Nick carefully took time to reflect on any skills that needed further development before giving us the opportunity to practice them further. We had varied conditions from calm seas to some challenging conditions, with far too many highlights to mention snorkelling in the Abrolhos islands, the humpbacks, sailing out of Steep Point or through Shark Bay so many.  

It was truly a memorable experience, and I cannot recommend Oceanwest Charters highly enough.				
Jaci-Mason
September 16, 2021 

					  Even though I've sailed for many years, I've realized after completing the RYA Navathome online theory and the 5 day practical course with Gary onboard his beautiful 41ft yacht Samsara,... read more that there's so much to learn and always a better / safer way of doing things out on the water. 

Gary is a highly skilled, knowledgeable and professional instructor. He has a very patient, friendly and relaxed manner that puts people at ease, promoting confidence and enthusiasm to learn, even in those with little or no sailing experience.

My partner and I greatly enjoyed our time on board Samsara. She is fast, spacious, comfortable and responsive across a broad range of weather conditions, making for an exciting and fun sail learning experience.

Gary, Joanne and their team at Oceanwest Charters run a highly efficient and professional sailing school. We highly recommend them for all sailors who want to take their sailing experience and knowledge to the next level.				
fcastino
December 16, 2020