Some writers imagine adventures. Others have lived them. Capt. Beetashok Chatterjee, also known by his pen name Capt. Bee, belongs to the second group. After spending more than 45 years sailing across the world’s oceans as a Merchant Navy captain, he chose to begin a new journey—one of storytelling. Today, his books give readers a rare glimpse into the lives of sailors, the mysteries of the sea, and the emotions that connect people across every shore.
Based in Gurgaon, Haryana, Capt. Chatterjee retired from the Merchant Navy after a remarkable career at sea. His lifelong experiences inspired him to write because he realized that there were very few books that truly captured the lives of ships, sailors, and the sea. He believed those stories deserved to be told, and that belief became the foundation of his writing career.
His literary journey began with Driftwood – Stories Washed Ashore (2019), a collection of short stories that received an overwhelming response from readers. Encouraged by its success, he decided to dedicate the next chapter of his life to writing. He followed it with The People Tree – Stories About Us and Them (2021), a collection that explored human relationships beyond the sea. In 2024, he returned to his maritime roots with Wind Chimes by the Sea – Stories Blown Ashore, a collection of eleven sea-inspired stories that offers readers the sights, sounds, and spirit of life at sea. The book earned him the Kala Pratibha Award for Literature, recognizing his outstanding contribution to contemporary literature.
Capt. Chatterjee has also explored nonfiction with Mayday! Maritime Disasters That Shook the World (2023), which became the No. 1 bestseller in its category on Amazon for two consecutive months. His love for poetry is reflected in Just An Old Sea Dog and Other Poems (2025), while several of his poems have also appeared in the anthology Monochrome Verses. He further contributed to the Covid anthology The Phoenix Rises – Lockdown Chronicles, alongside many respected writers and poets.
His writing routine is simple yet disciplined. He usually begins writing in the late morning after breakfast and continues into the afternoon whenever inspiration strikes. Among the many books he admires, Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 has had the greatest influence on him as a writer.
What makes Capt. Chatterjee’s work unique is his ability to transport readers into a world that very few people experience firsthand. His goal is simple: if readers can almost smell the salty sea air and understand a sailor’s life through his stories, then he has achieved what he set out to do.
Like many authors, his journey was not without challenges. Finding a publisher took nearly a year, but perseverance paid off. Once his first book found its place, there was no looking back. His experience serves as a reminder that patience and determination are essential parts of every writer’s journey.
Beyond writing, Capt. Chatterjee enjoys reading, watching movies, following cricket, and running a book club in Gurgaon. He also visits schools to judge story competitions and speak with young readers, encouraging the next generation to develop a love for literature.
His advice to aspiring authors is practical and honest: read widely, learn to accept criticism, and never give up your day job. It reflects the wisdom of someone who built one successful career before beginning another.
From the vast oceans to the pages of his books, Capt. Beetashok Chatterjee continues to inspire readers with stories shaped by experience, curiosity, and a deep respect for the sea. Much like the driftwood that inspired his first collection, he continues to travel wherever life and its currents take him—bringing unforgettable stories ashore for readers around the world.
— Interview Times