Yachting mate of Sir Peter's says justice is done, but it won't bring his mate back

An old crew mate of Sir Peter Blake has praised the arrest of a man involved in the Kiwi sailing legend's tragic death.

However, although that meant long-time fugitive Jose Cardoso would finally be held accountable for his actions that fateful night, the arrest would never bring his mate back.

Sailing professor and good friend of Sir Peter, Mark Orams, was the Seamaster's on-board scientist for the Amazon expedition that would later take a tragic turn.

Orams returned to New Zealand two weeks before Sir Peter was killed on the boat by pirates.

The news of the arrest would bring back many sad memories, Orams said.

"Like a lot of people who have tragically lost people close to them, it brings memories back and I guess a sadness, still, about the loss of a great New Zealand,'' he told the Herald.

"In terms of capturing somebody who's responsible - I suppose it's always good that justice is done and that people don't escape justice even if he's been on the run for a long period of time.

"But I don't personally feel any animosity or bitterness or a sense of wanting to punish the guy.

"It's not going to bring Peter back."

Cardoso was arrested during a routine stop on the Brazilian island of Marajo, when authorities found he was carrying his brother's ID.

His true identity was discovered after his fingerprints were checked.

The arrest comes almost 17 years after Sir Peter was killed on December 5, 2001. He was 53 years old.

Orams, who later penned the biography: Blake: Leader - Leadership worked alongside Sir Peter for several years, including with Team New Zealand and then later as the on-board scientist for Blake Expeditions.

He said he counted himself lucky to be among those known as "Blake's mates'' who met on the first week of every December at the Devonport Yacht Club to share a drink and a meal while reminiscing about their mate Sir Peter.

No one ever really spoke about what happened that night - or of the then unknown men who came on board.

"For me, personally, I've never held any anger or bitterness towards those who invaded Seamaster that night,'' Orams said.

"I don't think they really knew who Peter was.

"They didn't know what they were doing in terms of the significance of the loss of Peter for New Zealand - and for our world, quite frankly."

Orams said many of Sir Peter's old friends and colleagues remained close and kept a good relationship with Sir Peter's children, James and Sarah-Jane - both of whom have followed their father's footsteps into the sailing world - as well as his widow, Lady Pippa.

"I'm enormously proud of James and Sarah-Jane and Pippa. And I know Peter would be too. They've had to deal with a tragic loss and particularly for the children, who were both teenagers at the time.

"It was a very difficult situation for them and I know they always miss their dad and that sense of loss is still there. But both of them are outstanding human beings and just lovely people.''