A cable release assembly comprising: a swivel body configured for coupling to a drilling cable and having a distal end portion, the distal end portion having an outer surface and defining at least one groove that is radially recessed relative to the outer surface; characterised in that the cable release assembly further comprises a bearing subassembly having: a receptacle body having a wall with an outer surface, the wall having a proximal portion that defines an interior cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the distal end portion of the swivel body; and an outer sleeve having a wall at least partially circumferentially surrounding the wall of the receptacle body, the wall of the outer sleeve having an inner surface that is radially spaced from the outer surface of the wall of the receptacle body; and a plurality of locking elements positioned in engagement with the inner surface of the outer sleeve, wherein distal movement of the outer sleeve of the bearing subassembly from a first axial position to a second axial position effects radial movement of the plurality of locking elements from a retracted position in which the locking elements are received within the at least one groove of the distal end portion of the swivel body to an extended position in which the locking elements are disengaged from the outer surface of the distal end portion of the swivel body. a swivel body configured for coupling to a drilling cable and having a distal end portion, the distal end portion having an outer surface and defining at least one groove that is radially recessed relative to the outer surface; characterised in that the cable release assembly further comprises a bearing subassembly having: a receptacle body having a wall with an outer surface, the wall having a proximal portion that defines an interior cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the distal end portion of the swivel body; and an outer sleeve having a wall at least partially circumferentially surrounding the wall of the receptacle body, the wall of the outer sleeve having an inner surface that is radially spaced from the outer surface of the wall of the receptacle body; and a receptacle body having a wall with an outer surface, the wall having a proximal portion that defines an interior cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the distal end portion of the swivel body; and an outer sleeve having a wall at least partially circumferentially surrounding the wall of the receptacle body, the wall of the outer sleeve having an inner surface that is radially spaced from the outer surface of the wall of the receptacle body; and a plurality of locking elements positioned in engagement with the inner surface of the outer sleeve, wherein distal movement of the outer sleeve of the bearing subassembly from a first axial position to a second axial position effects radial movement of the plurality of locking elements from a retracted position in which the locking elements are received within the at least one groove of the distal end portion of the swivel body to an extended position in which the locking elements are disengaged from the outer surface of the distal end portion of the swivel body.