A torque relief system dissipates a torque in a marine cable section to be used for seismic data collection. The system includes a bench having a deadman unit; a tensioning element connected to the deadman unit; a swivel bearing unit connected to the tensioning element and configured to receive a first end of the marine cable section; and at least one bearing unit configured to support the marine cable section with reduced friction so that when the tensioning element tenses the marine cable section, the marine cable section and the first end rotate freely until the torque is dissipated.