Almost 40 people drowned around the Scottish coast last year, according to the RNLI.
The lifesaving organisation yesterday launched a Respect the Water campaign alerting people to the dangers Scotland’s waters.
Figures released by the charity show 39 people died following accidents in 2013. In the last four years, there have been 150 deaths around the country.
Michael Avril, RNLI community incident reduction manager in Scotland, said: ‘With more people losing their lives at the coast each year than are killed in cycling accidents, we’re trying to make people, particularly men, realise that they are at risk from drowning if they don’t follow some basic but important safety advice.
The charity are urging the public to take care around the sea, as fatalities are not necessarily a result of adrenaline sports or water based activities.
More than a fifth of deaths in the last four years have been a result of slips and falls while running or walking on the coast.
In January this year, an Aberdeenshire paramedic died after he was swept out to sea while taking pictures on Stonehaven harbour.
Diving accidents and commercial use of water accounted for more than a quarter of all accidents. Last month a Lossiemouth man died after getting into difficulties while scuba diving near Findochty Harbour.
‘Of course we want people to go to the coast and enjoy it,” said Mr Avril.
“We’re lucky to have an exceptional coastline around Scotland – but we want people to understand there are risks, and that they should not underestimate the power of the sea.”