Specifically, the climax hinges on Michael's realization that the Captain deliberately sabotaged the boat, resulting in his father's death, and not a simple accident as he'd always been led to believe. This isn't a sudden shock; the narrative subtly hints at this truth throughout. The climax involves Michael piecing together evidence, facing the Captain directly, and ultimately confronting him with his knowledge. This confrontation, though not physically violent, represents the peak of the emotional and narrative tension in the novel. The aftermath of this confrontation and the choices Michael makes following it finalize the climax and lead into the resolution.