Engraving showing Joseph Robinson, First Captain of the Cullercoats Volunteer Life Brigade, with Heaving Stick in hand and ready for action. Captain Robinson was a fisherman and Tyne pilot by trade and famous in Cullercoats for the strength of his throwing arm. If a ship was wrecked close to shore, Robinson would throw his heaving stick to the ship and then any survivors could cling to the line as they headed ashore.