First mate right as always (4)

I believe the answer is:

ever

'as always' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'first mate right' is the wordplay.
'first mate' becomes 'eve' (I've seen this before).
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'eve'+'r'='EVER'

(Other definitions for ever that I've seen before include "Veer away endlessly" , "Eternally" , "Continuously" , "Continually" , "At all times, always" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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