Following an administrative hearing, the commission may impose a penalty of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) upon any for-hire vessel owner or operator who violates any provision of this article or who fails to obey, observe, or comply with any rule established by the commission pursuant to Section 4668. For purposes of this section, Section 4671, and Section 4672, “owner” means the corporation or person who is registered as the owner of the vessel or who has a legal right to operate the vessel pursuant to a lease or rental agreement. For purposes of this section, Section 4671, and Section 4672, “operator” means the “for-hire vessel operator” as defined in Section 4660.