experience on the water, need some input

[RIJIMMY]

I was out Sunday with my family fishing for some scup, we anchored up along an island. Across the bay, I saw a sailboat and saw some some smoke, i wasnt sure if the smoke was from the boat or on land. A little while later, I see a red flare and smoke from the sailboat. I get my binoculars and see if I can see if there is any trouble. I decide to head over and see if they need help, As I pull in lines, I see another flair and also see another boat heading over there. As we approach, I see them talking to the other boat and see a man and about 10 kids on deck. The other boat pulled away. I turned off my engine so I could talk to the man. I ask politely if they need help. He starts berating me - telling me the coast guard has been announcing continuously that they are conducting some sort of test and that I should be monitoring channel 16. He was being a real arse. I respond by telling him that I dont always monitor ch 16 and dont believe I am required to while on the water (am I wrong?) also that there is no requirement to have a radio and a flare is a distress signal, many small boats may feel obligated to help and head over here to help you, they dont HAVE to have a radio. He continued to be a priCk. My wife snapped back and said YOU"RE WELCOME and we left. It left a bad taste in my mouth and seemed like a reckless test. A flare is a distress signal and conducting that test on a nice weekend day seemed dumb. Im no expert but you guys may have a different view.