Method and apparatus for engaging an elongate cable to facilitate repositioning thereof

A method of engaging an elongate cable to facilitate repositioning of the elongate cable, the method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a gripping apparatus with first and second relatively movable parts;
• placing the first and second relatively movable parts in a first state;
• with the first and second relatively movable parts in the first state, placing a length of the elongate cable in a starting relationship with the gripping apparatus;
• changing the first and second relatively movable parts from the first state into a second state wherein the length of the elongate cable resides in a volume between the first and second relatively movable parts;
• causing the first and second relatively movable parts to be releasably maintained in the second state as an incident of the first and second relatively movable parts being changed from the first state into the second state;
• and
• with the first and second relatively movable parts releasably maintained in the second state, changing the first and second relatively movable parts into a third state wherein the volume between the first and second relatively movable parts is reduced from the volume between the first and second relatively movable parts with the first and second relatively movable parts in the second state.