CHARGING SYSTEM FOR AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE AND METHOD OF LIFTING AND RECOVERING AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER VEHICLE

A charging system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a charging station having a base positioned in water, a pole extending in the vertical direction, and a charging unit; and an AUV having an underwater vehicle body, a power reception unit, a holding device having a pair of guide parts that guide a contacted pole from the advancing-direction side into a holding position and a holding part that holds the pole guided into the holding position such that the pole is capable of relative rotation, a propulsion generation device that generates propulsion force in the horizontal direction, and a control device that controls the propulsion generation device; the base and the underwater vehicle body being provided, respectively, with a light emitter and a light receiver, and the control device controlling the propulsion generation device so that the light receiver reaches a rotation position, in relation to the pole, at which light emitted from the light emitter is received.