Answer:
Sully had spent most of his life in the sea and therefore, he was a competent sailor. His use of 'mental telepathy' to escape across the skylight develops the suspense in the narrative as it leaves the readers uncertain. It also advances the plot by moving the story forward. The readers keep wondering whether he would succeed or not, he would survive or not, what would happen next, etc. Sully's use of mental telepathy instills hope in Scoot and she finally 'finds a way to brace her feet' and preserve her from the adversity. Thus, this event leads the story towards the climax and eventually towards the conclusion.