Marine scientific research uses marine scientific research equipment to obtain ocean data, collect and analyze it, and obtain ocean physical, chemical, biological and geological characteristics, which is an important way for humans to understand the ocean. The article combs the main scientific research history, current situation and changing characteristics at home and abroad since the formation of modern marine science, and discusses the goals, characteristics, results and impact of marine scientific research at different stages on the development of marine science. A summary is made regarding the current status of the development of marine scientific research equipment, focusing on describing the development history and current situation of domestic and foreign marine scientific research vessels, marine observation platforms and survey equipment; the development trends of marine scientific research are discussed and analyzed from the aspects of scientific research equipment, scientific research forms, scientific research characteristics, etc. The current challenges of domestic marine scientific research are put forward, and finally relevant suggestions are put forward for the high-quality development of marine scientific research.