Yacht‑Party, Covid Breach & a 7,000‑Dollar Fine
How a Singaporean turned a casual yacht outing into a courtroom drama
Last November, Lim Tian Yi (36) teamed up with his friend Lin Pei Ju, who goes by Annie, to give Anaya Retreat a splash of social‑media glamour. The plan? Hang out on a Panama‑flagged yacht, make candles, brew essential oils, and snap a bunch of photos to promote the retreat business. It sounded like a harmless boozy getaway—until the Covid‑19 rules came in.
What went wrong
- Exceeding the capacity limit – the yacht’s official max crew was five, but a dozen influencers were onboard.
- Skipping the face mask – none of the guests clamped on face masks during the trip.
- Unauthorized gathering – a casual “party” on a public cruise yacht violated COVID‑19 control orders.
When Lim pleaded guilty to one main offence—breaking the Covid‑19 control order—courts nudged his other two infractions (no mask & overcrowding) into the total fine.
The financial verdict
Lim was fined $7,000 by the court, a hefty penalty for a Sunday‑sized social‑media stunt. He runs Appsolutely Technologies, but that’s no shield against the law.
Lin (42, Canada‑born Singapore PR) was the face of Anaya Retreat and the skipper of the yacht. Together, they thought they could turn a sunset cruise into a marketing mic‑drop. Instead, they got a court date and a fine.
Takeaway
Even when you’re building candles and wellness vibes, it pays to read the fine print on lockdown rules. The “party” may have been fun, but the court didn’t share the same enthusiasm. And remember—next time keep the crew to five!
Invited
Meet the Influencers on the “Craft” Cruise
The idea was simple: Lim, the brains behind Koli, was in charge of getting the crew of creators on the boat.
He enlisted the help of Nicole Chen Lin, 34, who raided the inbox and assembled a team of ten to fill the floating stage.
Here’s the squad that set sail:
- Audrey Chen Ying Fang, 29 – the original Miss Mermaid Singapore (2016).
- Damian Tan Kar Sheng, 27.
- Sean Tan, 29.
- Titus Low Kaide, 22.
- Walter Soh Yon Zheng, 24.
- Nicholas Joel Leong, 26.
- Kuek Zi Yi, 32.
- Chai Ann Gie, 28.
- Monica Tang Yifei, 34.
- Wang Zhiruo, 24.
They boarded the craft at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club around 3 pm on November 18, ready to splash into an influencer adventure with Lim and Lin.
Pre‑Event Huddle
Lim and Lin kicked things off with a quick briefing, reminding everyone: Mask on unless you’re munching or sipping. Classic healthy vibes.
Deck‑Division Drama
The crew split by gender. Five men took the upper deck for a photo session, while six women dove into candle‑making and essential‑oil crafting on the lower deck.
After a few hours, the roles flipped – Nicole Chen rotated between decks, acting like a human traffic cop to keep everything running smoothly.
During the candle workshop, masks briefly went on the shelf because they were busy making scents—no mask‑driven drama there.
Everyone had water, but they didn’t gulp it down nonstop. We’re all about hydration without the splash‑back to our makeup.
Photo‑Fight Night
Just before the event wrapped at 7 pm, Lim gathered the ten influencers, Lin, and himself for a classic group shot. The 1‑meter safe‑distance rule didn’t make the cut—was there a free‑for‑all photo session, anyone? The crew was in full deck mode.
All said and done, it was a breezy, mask‑friendly gathering that turned a sunny Singapore afternoon into a memorable influencer splash.
Complaint
Lim’s Post‑Party Surprise: Not a Break‑Free Gig, But a Mid‑Level Legal Misstep
After the shindig, Lim goofed by posting event photos to his Facebook, prompting someone in the crowd to file a complaint with the authorities—who were quick to start an investigation.
Casey’s Court‑Casual Tale
- Yesterday, prosecutors asked for a fine of $7,000 to $9,000, pointing out that a group of four people mingled for hours without maintaining safe distancing. They added that there was an attempt to split the crowd into smaller squads, and that Lim’s role was “low‑level.”
- Lim’s defense? He’s remorseful and a quick‑note: it was Ms. Nicole Chen who wanted to bring a full squad of 10. The other influencers each got a small penalty of $300, and Lim chuckled that he helped pay some of those fines.
- The judge hammered home that organisers are responsible for ensuring the event obeys the laws—like limiting numbers and sticking to social‑distancing caps. Failure to do so can land you in court (or, in worst cases, an uptight jail cell).
- For breaching the COVID laws, Lim faces up to six months in prison or a fine of up to $10,000—or both.
- Bottom line: the case hangs in the balance, awaiting the court’s final verdict.
Tag‑Snap
The original scoop comes from The New Paper. Reproductions need permission. Stay safe, stay legal, stay thoughtful.
