Name Jassa

JASSA was commissioned for the ministry of agriculture and fisheries in 1951 for research. Its design is based on an Essex Bawley, and it was built in Leigh on Sea. JASSA was the smallest of the 'Esturine vessels' built specifically for the ministry, with three other vessels active in the UK from 1947-1980. JASSA was based at Burnham-on-crouch and used for oyster cultivation work within the crouch and roach. Four logbooks for the JASSA in the Cefas fisheries archive reveal the catch focus for the vessel during the years:

• 1959 (May) - Beam trawl,  Fish (sole, Sprat. Plaice), Rays, Benthos - Hollywell buoy, Quay loading, Roach moult.
• 1961 (December) - Baird dredge, Benthos - River Crouch, Brickfield Bight (ICES Rectangle 32F0).
• 1962 (Jan, Apr, May) -  Dredge, Baird dredge, Benthos - River Crouch, Brickfield Bight (ICES Rectangle 32F0).
• 1962/1963 (Jun, Aug, Dec, Feb) -  Dredge, Baird dredge, Benthos - River Crouch, Brickfield Bight (ICES Rectangle 32F0).

JASSA was also used for training young apprentices at sea. In 2022 JASSA was bought by the Pioneer Sailing Trust who intend to restore the vessel to operational condition. The trust plans to document the restoration, and launch its new Heritage Engineering Marine Technician apprenticeship course alongside during the process. Following restoration, JASSA will be used to give learning opportunities in different areas of expertise, such as wooden construction, engineering, understanding new technology in relation to hybrid systems, and working with the public. The Trust plans to work in collaboration with a new lobster hatchery and education centre in Brightlingsea. This will involve “re-wilding” and educating young people about lobsters/conservation and the importance of oysters to the eco system and the environment.