Marine Fabricator July/August 2024 | Volume 30, Number 4 22 14 Features 14 Marine flooring and fabric trends What's smart, stylish and and seaworthy now and for the rest of the season. by Kelly Hartog 22 Tool and shop safety Handling tools and materials safely can prevent injuries and ensure longevity in the industry. by Jeff Moravec 30 Filling the pipeline Some companies are attracting new workers by creating internship and apprenticeship programs. by Pamela Mills-Senn Shop Talk 36 Exterior Achieving excellence is within reach. 40 Interior Designing and building a new seat from scratch. 44 Business How to use AI for marketing. 48 Inspiration 2024 Fabrication Excellence Award winner in the Powerboat-Soft Enclosures category. 30 Log Book 4 On Deck 6 News 11 Industry Events 12 New Products On the cover: This unique two-piece travel cover by Lake Shore Boat Top Co. Inc., St. Clair Shores, Mich., won the Award of Excellence in the Travel/Full Covers category in the 2024 MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards. Materials include Sunbrella® by Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC, YKK Zippers by YKK® and SolarFix® thread by Solar Fix. MarineFabricatorMag.com | 3http://www.MarineFabricatorMag.com