Who is Maurice Whiting from The Floating Island and what is their importance?

Maurice Whiting is a sailor on the Serelinda. He pays little attention to Ven until he is chosen by Oliver, the captain, to go to the Floating Island. Furious, Whiting plans to take his revenge on Ven. He verbally threatens Ven and has him arrested on suspicion of stealing and murder. Whiting almost convinces Ven that he is his friend, but Ven is smart enough to realize that Whiting wants to use him.

Whiting is the novel's antagonist.