The Camadan knot is one of the first knots learned by every sailor and sea lover on their journey to becoming a mariner.
Let us honor the spirit of the great sailor who discovered the Camadan knot, a technique that is both unique and simple, allowing for binding with just one hand.
This spark of thought has ignited a practical application that has facilitated the lives of thousands of sailors throughout the centuries, making their journeys easier and more rewarding.
Today, the Camadan knot continues to inspire brave sailors.
Besides being easy to tie, the Camadan knot is the only strong knot capable of carrying any load with its own strength, regardless of how heavy it becomes. Even a thread made of two dirhems can bear tons of weight. Remarkably, it also has the unique feature of unraveling by itself when the load decreases or is lost, making it akin to artificial intelligence for its time.
When we look back at the first sailors who discovered the Camadan knot, we find ourselves in Portugal, a country on the Atlantic coast, where brave Portuguese sailors roamed.
Born and raised by the ocean, these sailors spent their evenings on beautiful shores, witnessing the power and compassion of Mother Nature. During those moments, as they gazed at the sea that gave them life, they began to question and explore the mysteries beyond the vast horizon.
Among those curious souls, some brave sailors emerged, determined to uncover what lay behind the waters that had long been a source of wonder.
Perhaps they felt like prisoners in the shadows during those years.
This curiosity reflects the human quest for knowledge and truth, reminiscent of Plato's allegory of the cave. It transformed into an insatiable hunger for discovery, evolving from mere questions into ambitions and ultimately into decisive actions.
In pursuit of their purpose, they focused on developing tools. Using the best resources available at the time, they designed ways to ensure their safety as they ventured into the unknown. Months or even years passed as they blended experiential knowledge with practical skills, ultimately creating durable boats that served their purpose.
Thus, the first boats were crafted, utilizing the power of Mother Nature for progress. This power could be gentle or fierce, prompting dreamers and visionaries to question how it would act and change the world.
They examined and harmonized natural events over time, patiently observing every occurrence at sea. They recorded what began, how it progressed, and when it concluded, analyzing the records to draw conclusions from the similarities.
To ensure their boats could float, they realized they also needed mobility; otherwise, they would never reach the distant horizons they envisioned. They learned how floating objects moved, perhaps inspired by a small branch drifting on water, responding to the wind's direction and strength, and experiencing the concepts of motion, friction, force, and direction.
They added masts and sails to their boats, allowing the cloth to catch the wind and propel them toward the unknown.
However, the power of Mother Nature could also be fierce. Sails were designed to be easily adjusted in normal winds, but what would happen if the wind intensified?
Through many trials, they learned to cope with the challenges, and it was during one of those moments that they discovered the Camadan knot.
The Camadan knot emerged from the need to secure sail masts that a sailor could not control in harsh conditions, providing a simple solution until the wind calmed.
This remarkable discovery has carried explorers and sailors to this day and is now being revitalized as a solidarity institution for sailors.
The Camadan Foundation, open to graduates of associate and bachelor's degrees from any Maritime Faculty, is dedicated to ensuring that every sailor can face today and the future without worry. With over 230 founding members, they prioritize community interests over personal ones, embodying the ideology of "Not I, but We..."
They aspire to be a large family that cares for the future concerns and anxieties of every qualified sailor and their families.
As we approach the end of 2025, the Camadan Foundation holds great hopes and high energy.
The Camadan Seafarers Foundation resonates with the dreams of thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of sailors working in our industry.
With the ideology of "Not I, but We," they aim to combine quality with benefit to elevate Turkish and World Maritime through innovative projects.
We express our gratitude to all our founding members.
Do you know the myth of Simurgh? It is a beautifully profound tale from the East.
One day, all the birds, whether hidden or visible, gathered to choose their ruler. Among them, the Hoopoe, who never left King Solomon's side, proclaimed that there was no need for a ruler; they already had one—Simurgh, residing on Mount Qaf.
Many birds hesitated, fearing the difficult journey ahead. The Hoopoe encouraged them, sharing examples of perseverance.
Thus, thousands of birds set out, but fatigue soon set in, leading to doubts about reaching their ruler.
The Hoopoe addressed their concerns, but the journey was long and arduous, causing some birds to rest along the way.
Ultimately, only 230 birds remained, the Simurgh 230, who encountered a massive door guarded by a reluctant gatekeeper.
Upon the Hoopoe's insistence, the door opened, revealing a grand room where each bird found its own adventures written on the thrones before them.
As they lifted their heads at the sound of Simurgh's arrival, they saw their own reflections in the mirror.
Camadan exists, Camadan exists, the one who created the heavens and the earth exists. Do not be sad, sea friend, for there is a great Camadan for you...
I wish everyone a healthy, happy new year with your family, whom you embrace to the fullest like Camadan.
Dr.Kapt Ali Burçin EKE
16.12.2025