When the Cold War ended the service had well over 500 vessels in the active fleet, but that number dwindled to less than 400 during the 1990s and less than 300 in the decade just ended.

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As with any business deal where you're being asked to pay hard, cold cash for an intangible service, the buyer should beware.

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He was taken to hospital "suffering from cold", the fire service said.

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