In 2004, he appeared on BBC Radio 4 and spoke about Trafalgar 200. Trafalgar 200 was a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It saw an international fleet in the Solent reviewed by Queen Elizabeth II and the First Sea Lord. West led the demand by the Royal Navy for a major ceremony. He is credited with persuading the government to make the event include a large-scale fleet review. In 2005 he served as the chief mourner at a reenactment of Horatio Nelson's funeral. In the 2004 New Year Honours, he was advanced to a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. He completed his term as First Sea Lord on 6 February 2006 and was succeeded by Admiral Sir Jonathon Band.