The USS Sampson got word of the earthquake just as they were heading into port in Auckland for the New Zealand Navy's 75th Anniversary celebrations. Immediately crew and captain turned their thoughts to those in need and headed to Kaikoura.
One of four military ships that moored off Kaikoura's coastline after Monday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake, it was also the first US warship to visit New Zealand waters in 33 years.
It was joined by the HMCS Vancouver from Canada, the HMAS Darwin from Australia and New Zealand's own HMNZS Canterbury in helping deal with the aftermath of the earthquake in Kaikoura.
Below deck the ship is a rabbit warren of passages, airlocks and ladders, but up on deck is where you can appreciate the sheer size and capability of the USS Sampson.
Executive Officer Jerry Jackson took us for a tour on deck.
The ship itself is nothing short of impressive. The $1.5 billion ship houses 340 crew, has 100,000 horsepower propelling it through the seas, two MH-60R helicopters and carries an array of weaponry; hellfire missiles, torpedoes, and a M240 machine gun.
The crew clearly run a complicated, but tight, ship.
NZ Navy Commander John Crighton, who was acting as a visiting ship liason officer, said the crew were very professional and laypeople might be surprised at the similarities between the US and New Zealand ship operations.
New Zealand's Minister of Defence as well as acting Civil Defence Minister, Gerry Brownlee also visited the ship and its Australian and Canadian counterparts to personally thank the crew for their help.
He told the crew the work they had done would have a huge effect on the Kaikoura community.
He also spoke with the Sampson's commanding officer, Commander Tim LaBenz.
The four ships left the coastline this morning. The HMNZS Canterbury is due to return to Kaikoura after loading more aid supplies in Lyttelton.
