Yeah, I don't think you are supposed to do radio checks on 16 since that channel is for emergencies only. But even when you feel your radio is out of range most likely the coast guard will be able to hear your distress signal. I have an icom m34 and last time out at Catalina by the west end a boater and his family were stuck on shore, for some reason his radio did not work or he did not know how to use it, he could not get a hold of anyone on his phone and to make things worst he had no food on the boat, just beer and a small amount of water. I radioed out on channel 16, I was heard in San Pedro and my message was relayed to harbor patrol in Avalon who could not hear me on channel 9 (the channel they monitor). Help was on the way for the boater and his family quickly. Stupid boater who a kayaker helped out, I gave his family some energy bars too that I also carry on my kayak in case of emergencies
.
If you are a boater in the ocean, don't beach your boat like you are at a lake, tides change, swells come in and out, next thing you know your boat is not in the water anymore and stuck on a beach.