Abstract: The marine environment is the most harsh natural environment. The new type polymer matrix composites have extremely high application potential in the field of marine engineering equipment due to their excellent comprehensive performance. However, the corrosion, aging and pollution of polymer matrix composites are the main challenges affecting their effectiveness. Coating protection is an economically effective and practical solution. The mechanism of various influencing factors on the failure of polymer matrix composites in marine environment was elaborated, and the protection mechanism and research status of their surface protective coatings from the aspects of corrosion resistance, aging resistance and anti-fouling were summarized.