Who is responsible for performing pre departure check of recreational boat?

That all depends on just HOW BIG the boat is. If it's under, say, 40 feet, the it's up to the Captain or to an assigned crewman... If it's just a small POWER BOAT.. those people just jump in and start the engine with only a quick cursory inspection. HOWEVER.. on a BOAT.. the person responsible is the CAPTAIN.. this is just at true for a 14 footer as for a Cruise Ship.. so it's the CAPTAIN whose head rolls if something happens