Abstract: Internal solitary waves （ISWs） are widely present in densely stratified oceans, which are a common nonlinear, large-amplitude fluctuation phenomenon, which will induce the shear state of seawater flow above and below the wave surface during its propagation process, and cause strong amplitude dispersion and sudden strong flow of seawater. When the moving submersible operates underwater, it is very likely to encounter ISWs, the peak and valley depth of the internal solitary waves , and the energy concentration, which seriously affects the motion stability and hydrodynamic load characteristics of the submersible, which in turn leads to unstable submersible motion and uncontrolled maneuvering. Based on the engineering background of the interaction between ISWs in the ocean and underwater submersibles, this paper summarizes the current researches on the characteristics of ISWs in terms of theory, observation and experiment and numerical simulation. Then, the studies on the interaction between ISWs and structures as well as the interaction between ISWs and submersibles were highlighted. Finally, based on the current research works about ISWs around the world , the prospects of ISWs research is further proposed.