A cable handling device for use in the deployment and/or retrieval of a cable comprises a drum which provides mounting for a number of grooved rings, the rings receiving a cable thereabout. The drum forms an inner bearing race with each ring forming an outer bearing race such that the rings are independently and rotatably coupled to the drum. A second drum having one or more grooved ring is provided and the cable can be wound around the first and second drums. In use, one or both of the drums is rotated and the device is adapted to control the tension in the cable and/or to mitigate distortion in the cable caused by slippage between the cable and the device.