As we approached the first anniversary of our son's sudden and unexpected death, we began exploring the idea of scattering his ashes in San Francisco Bay. Our research to find a professional, experienced group that provided such services was somewhat daunting, as it brought to the surface many emotions and feelings that had faded into the background over the passing of one year. But they were still there, of course; shock, grief, sadness, anger, disbelief. The loss was surreal. It was like a bad dream from which we would never escape. But we knew the time had come to take the next step in moving on. We chose to contact Oceanic West based on the stellar reviews left by others who had reached the same decision and who had utilized their scattering services. We could not have made a better choice. Starting from her first reply to our inquiry, Natalie instilled in us a sense of compassion, understanding, kindness and professionalism. She gently guided us through the whole process, like an angel, telling us what to expect, where to meet Captain Ken at the Berkeley Marina and what paperwork to assemble for proper documentation and permits. Captain Ken and his first mate, Ed, were wonderful! Captain Ken was so sincere in his concern that we be as comfortable as possible. He detailed every step we would experience on this poignant journey. He had a basket filled with beautiful rose flowers and petals to also scatter. He asked us to write messages on biodegradable rice paper that we also tossed into the Bay. And when we answered his questions or exchanged dialogue with him, he quietly and patiently looked directly into our eyes and truly listened to every word we said. During the scattering, Captain Ken unobtrusively took multiple photographs of the experience, as well as portraits of us and other Bay images that were later sent to us in a virtual album. When we opened the album, we wept. We cannot recommend Oceanic West highly enough, nor could we have ever wished for a better, more memorable outcome. Natalie, Ed and Captain Ken have helped us move on to the next step in the process of dealing with the loss of a loved one. We want to thank them from the bottom of our hearts. These folks are the kind of people who make the world a kinder and more gentle place in which to live! read more

Last summer I lost Bob - my beloved husband of 47 years - who wanted to be cremated. We lived in Maryland, my husband died in Florida, and my son lives with his family in San Francisco. Bob admired San Francisco, was very happy here, and I decided to scatter his ashes in the San Francisco Bay. Natalie Watson of Oceanic West made all arrangements and gave us detailed instructions so that we would know what to expect. On the Valentine Day, there were five of us, including my two grandsons aged 5 and 8. Captain Ken met us on dock O of Berkeley marina, brought to the boat, put live vests on the kids, expressed his condolences and took us to the bay. He was very caring during the whole ceremony of scattering ashes and marking the place with rose petals. Afterwards, the boat made three circles around the rose petals and we took beautiful pictures of them on the backgrounds of San Francisco and Treasure Island and returned back to the dock. Captain Ken was taking pictures at various steps of our journey. It was a fun cruise for the kids and a very meaningful ceremony for us adults. The same evening, Natalie sent me a link to a beautiful presentation made of the pictures taken by Captain Ken and put to music. Also, there was GPS data about the place where the ashes were scattered. I am especially grateful to Captain Ken and Natalie for putting together this presentation very fast since my husband's birthday was the next day, and I was able to send that link to 50+ friends all over the world. The place and time of the ceremony had additional symbolic meaning for me since Bob was my all-life Treasure and Valentine. It was a warm, quiet, and dry day which made the ceremony perfect. I am highly recommending Ocean West for ash scattering ceremonies. Thank you so much, Natalie and Captain Ken! read more

My mother wanted her ashes scattered in San Fransisco Bay but we live in New Mexico. When trying to plan the scattering, I did a web search and found three companies. I tried contacting them all via their web sites but Oceanic West was the only one to respond. Not only did they respond but they responded the same Sunday evening I tried contacting them. Their email was personalized and packed full of information. Over the next couple months Natalie worked with me over phone and email to arrange the event. She was always professional, understanding, patient, and reassuring. When the day arrived, everything went as promised and was better than any of us expected. Captain Ken and his crew were very professional, respectful, and we knew they were there if we needed anything. The boat (Voyager) was very clean and well maintained and easily accommodated our party of 18. The crew were very personable, engaging in conversation when appropriate, and knew when to step back and let the family experience the emotional events without distraction. The pictures they took as part of the package were wonderful capturing many cherished moments. Their method of distributing the pictures via the web was easy to use and share with other family and friends. Oceanic West provided a wonderful experience that we will cherish. read more

This past month (November 2013) we enlisted the services of Oceanic West for the scattering of our brother's ashes in San Francisco Bay. He was born in the Marina District of San Francisco and had requested that we scatter his ashes upon his death in his favorite city. We were extremely lucky and fortunate to find Captain Mike and Oceanic West to help us with this obviously difficult occasion. From the very beginning to the end, Captain Mike and his associates made the arrangements as accommodating as possible. All three were very professional, respectful and attentive in providing these services. Every preparation was made exactly as we would have wanted it. Rarely do you find organizations in this day and age that provide services exactly as advertised. In this case, Oceanic West went above and beyond expectations in every respect. We cannot say enough about how thankful we were to have found Oceanic West to perform these services and what a fantastic job they did. In addition, the furnishing of the professional pictures of the ceremony and the certificate of Scattering of Ash Ceremony was a wonderful keepsake. read more

From my first call to Natalie, I knew the right decision had been made to go with Oceanic West for my brother's Ash Scattering Ceremony off San Francisco County on a beautiful sunny day. It was a private yacht and we felt such intimacy and peacefulness. The vessel was clean, lots of room to move around and comfortable. We had a sound system aboard and we were able to play our loved one's favorite tunes as we journeyed out to sea. Natalie, thank you all your help in providing all the information, documents, directions, etc. Captain Ken and crew, we thank you for your compassion and making us feel special. We will always be thankful for this voyage. It was an awesome memorable experience for everyone, and an amazing farewell to my brother. He is finally at rest and we ALL felt closure. My family and friends are grateful! Warmest Regards, Mary read more

We spread both my mom and dad's ashes in San Francisco Bay by the Golden Gate Bridge with the help of Captains Ken and Chuck, Wanda, Curtis and Mandy. I could not have asked for a more helpful and caring group of people. Natalie was always prompt in answering my questions, very easy to work with and accommodating in planning the memorial. My mom and dad were avid San Francisco Giants fans. The Captain took us to McCovey Cove where we toasted my folks and the Giants! With the help of Wanda and Chuck my relatives were able to participate in spreading the ashes. Both family and friends were so impressed with our little cruise, they are still talking about it 6 months later! It turned out to be a beautiful morning to celebrate the lives of two wonderful people with the help of the Captains and crew of the m/v Voyager. Thank you so very much!!!! read more

Having never been to a scattering much less having to plan my husbands, I just thought you go out on a boat and do it. I saw Oceanicwest site and liked that it left from Berkeley. After e-mailing Natalie, i got all the information i needed to make a decision. By e-mail and phone Natalie responded promptly and held my hand through the whole process. I chose to have the Captain's ceremony but no other options. The day turned out to be sunny with calm waters. Captain Ken and his crew were attentive and friendly and the ceremony beautiful. Everyone as well as myself was so happy and impressed. I don't think any of us expected what we experienced. I felt my husband loved it. I highly recommend using OceanicWest if you are considering scattering your love one over water. read more

Oceanic West provided a dual scattering service of both my daughter and husband in October 2010, giving me closure on both losses. Their service was excellent, and their instructions were easy to follow. I appreciated them asking if I had anything I wanted to have said at the time of scattering. Mr. Watson kept in constant contact with me step by step and acted in a timely manor, answering all my questions, and and they provided the pictures that were promised. I was indeed surprised to have them on CD which was easy to navigate through and nice. I did scan the official certificate provided to complete my computer file and forward to other friends and family. I would indeed recommend their service to anyone in need, and I already have. Nina Morrison read more

Oceanic West was instrumental in making the Last Link in the Circle of Life for our youngest brother a poignant occasion. The scattering of his ashes from the mv. Voyager with Captain Ken and Captain Sandy on board was heartwarming for us, six siblings and spouses. As first timers, we did not know the what and how. They shepherded us in a dignified way while Natalie had advised us exactly on what to take along to have a photo video presentation on board of our earlier lives together, as a big family of 8 plus parents.. The rose petals, bobbing on the water after scattering was a poetic touch to the ceremony. In the future, it will be our turn soon and seeing how this was conducted, we could certainly look forward.. ;-) Thank you all. The Oei Family read more

I contacted Mike for an ash scattering for my mother and father in October. Mike was very re-assuring and gave me several options. He worked with me by phone and e mail to coordinate a memorable celebration of my parent's life. Initially I was just planning on a simple scattering. Instead we opted for a 3 hour cruise that allowed time for the memorial scattering, lunch and time to share memories with family members. Everyone who attended commented that it was exactly what my parents would have wanted - the family together surrounded by the beautiful bay that they loved. I must admit that I was a little worried making arrangements solely from information the the website, but everything was delivered as promised. I highly recommend Oceanic West. read more

I hired Oceanic West to arrange for an ash scattering and they were super accommodating with the planning and the day of the event was perfect, everything went extremely well, the food was nice and the crew super professional. The only thing that kind of threw me off in the planning was the fees, the food ($600) and service fees (2 stewards $350.00 - Bar Service $175.00 - Misc. Service $247.00) added an additional $1300 to the cost and it was just coffee, fruit, juice, bagels, danish, etc. It was a nice spread of food but most of it ended staying on the boat. This may be fairly common for this industry so not a negative on the review, just for others, be aware of how this adds up to the overall budget planning. read more

Oceanic West provided a cruise that allowed my familiy to honor my mother's wishes to have her ashes scattered over San Francisco Bay. Since none of my family lives in the Bay area any longer, I was concerned that making suitable arrangements at a distance would be difficult, but Mike Watson of Oceanic West was extremely helpful in planning the event over the phone and via e-mail. The cruise itself was as promised. Capt Watson and his crew member were professional, courteous, and respectful of the occasion. The cove off Angel Island he took us to was a fitting location and in keeping with my Mom's wishes. I recommend Oceanic West for a private ash scattering service. read more

Our experience with Oceanic West was nothing short of 5 stars. From the very beginning, Natalie was professional and well organized about the plans for my Mother's ash scattering. We had to make a last minute change of plans due to an accident in the family. Natalie and Oceanic West were extremely compassionate and accommodating about our need to alter the plan for another date. Once on board, Captain Ken and his crew were simply the best. Captain Ken's service for my Mom was so very special and touched all of our hearts. I recommend without hesitation the services of Oceanic West, Captain Ken and his team. read more

Mike performed our wedding ceremony at The Fairmont San Francisco on June 2, 2012. It was a destination wedding for us. Mike and Oceanic West made the planning of the ceremony very easy. We spoke on the phone and I immediately felt he was the right person. He helped me with ideas and he responded to all of my emails in a timely manner. When it came time for the big weekend, he was very helpful at the rehearsal. His patience and positive demeanor helped ease my stress. The real ceremony went off without a hitch. He spoke well and loud and provided the light-hearted mood to loosen up my groom and me!! read more

Saturday 11/26 we had a lovely ash scattering ceremony for my father in law. The boat was roomy for 40 people, stable and comfortable, well appointed and clean. Captain Ken and his staff were courteous and thoughtful and kept us organized even when grieving. The service was brief and memorably touching. Scattering ashes and rose petals off the bowsprit was emotional and the skillful handling of the boat kept everyone's seasickness minimal and the site of the ashes in view for a good long pause for meditation. The brunch at the dock was tasty and fresh. Thanks Voyager and staff, for a beautiful memorial! read more

Our family was so pleased with our cruise to scatter the ashes of three family members. What could have been a despondent event was made to feel comforting and positive. The crew were warm, friendly and respectful. The food was lovely--an elegantly presented brunch of quiche, croissants and fruit along with coffee, tea and juices. We loved being able to listen to our own playlist of music special to our memories. The children's participation in scattering rose petals and a whole rose for each loved one was healing for everyone. All in all, a positive, comforting experience. read more

Mike and his crew were wonderful! They helped make the very difficult situation of scattering my Sweetie's ashes and handled it with grace. Everyone was so professional, respectful and helpful. It was nice not having to worry about anything around taking care of my Sweetie that day. The pictures taken by your crew that were sent to me in a slide show with music is something I will always treasure. I will never be able to accurately put into words how much I appreciated you and your crew that day. I can't thank you enough for helping me at this difficult time in my life. read more

We found Oceanic West on the internet when we were looking for a way to scatter our mother's ashes in the San Francisco Bay. We spoke with several different companies, but found Mike to be the most professional, reasonably priced for a private sail, as well as friendly and helpful. We were not disappointed in the service he provided us; it was a perfect setting and Mike and his crew made the occasion very stress free by anticipating our needs, expertly guiding the ship during the actual scattering and providing exactly the right atmosphere for such a somber event. read more

Looking for a way to scatter my husband's ashes, we were so fortunate to find Oceanic West and Mike Watson! From our first conversation, where he was professional yet gentle and compassionate, Mike listened to every idea and he made many great suggestions resulting in the perfect honoring of Jim and providing great memories for the entire family. We are so grateful for his kindness, attention to detail, desire to exceed our every expectation and thoughtfulness. I would definitely recommend Oceanic West to others! read more