Calgarians Laurence and Andrea Davis were among the many aboard the Costa Concordia, a cruise ship that capsized off the coast of Italy on Jan. 13.

“They were in one of the central dining rooms when the boat hit,” said the couple’s son-in-law David Hornstein, adding they had to duck underneath the table when items started falling. “I think the passengers … and the crew realized something more was going on just because the ship was tilting so severely.”

He said he and his wife, Leora, received a call from her parents almost immediately after the Davis’ had jumped ship and swam to the nearby shore.

“Once the water had reached their feet and their knees, they just decided to jump in and swim for shore.”

Hornstein said it has been a stressful few days for Laurence, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, and Andrea, who is in her early fifties. “We’re just happy they’re coming home.”