For purposes of this article, the following provisions shall apply:

1. (a) “Company” means any company, sole proprietorship, firm, partnership, private, municipal, or public corporation, limited liability company, association, joint stock association, or other similar organization.
2. (b) “Division” means the Division of Boating and Waterways.
3. (c) “For-hire vessel” includes any vessel, by whatsoever power operated, carrying passengers for hire, except a seaplane on the water and vessels exempt from taxation under Section 3 of Article XIII of the California Constitution.
4. (d) “For-hire vessel company” means any company owning, controlling, operating, or managing a for-hire vessel for the transportation of persons or property for compensation in this state, except a common carrier by vessel as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 211 of the Public Utilities Code.