Picture Of The Day : The Royal Geoff's

This picture was tucked away in a tin box which was amongst the possessions of my mother (Gladys). On the reverse is the following inscription in pencil : "Two pleasant looking brutes, eh Gladys. Taken out in the Western Ocean"  The final line is more difficult to read but seems to say "One of the Royal Geoff's". So did my mother have a friendship with a regal sailor? If anyone recognises their great-great grandfather, please let me know.