A seismic node deployment system comprising: a tow vessel ; a deployment apparatus having a hydrodynamic body; a tow line coupled to the tow vessel configured for towing the hydrodynamic body through a water column; and a carrier line engaged with the deployment apparatus , the carrier line having a plurality of seismic nodes coupled therealong; wherein the seismic nodes are deployed from a tow vessel by way of the carrier line , and wherein the deployment apparatus is configured to control a tension in the carrier line for deployment of the seismic nodes while the hydrodynamic body is towed through the water column by the tow line such that the tension in the carrier line is greater between the tow vessel and the deployment apparatus than between the deployment apparatus and a bottom surface of the water column; wherein the deployment apparatus comprises an aperture for receiving the carrier line ; and characterized in that the deployment apparatus is configurable between a pinching configuration, wherein the carrier line is pinched as it passes through the aperture, and a node receiving configuration, wherein sufficient space is provided for the nodes to pass through the aperture, and wherein, when the deployment apparatus is in the pinching configuration, the tension in the carrier line between the tow vessel and the deployment apparatus is greater than when the deployment apparatus is in the node receiving configuration, and the tension in the carrier line between the deployment apparatus and a bottom surface of the water column is lower than when the deployment apparatus is in the node receiving configuration. a tow vessel ; a deployment apparatus having a hydrodynamic body; a tow line coupled to the tow vessel configured for towing the hydrodynamic body through a water column; and a carrier line engaged with the deployment apparatus , the carrier line having a plurality of seismic nodes coupled therealong; wherein the seismic nodes are deployed from a tow vessel by way of the carrier line , and wherein the deployment apparatus is configured to control a tension in the carrier line for deployment of the seismic nodes while the hydrodynamic body is towed through the water column by the tow line such that the tension in the carrier line is greater between the tow vessel and the deployment apparatus than between the deployment apparatus and a bottom surface of the water column; wherein the deployment apparatus comprises an aperture for receiving the carrier line ; and characterized in that the deployment apparatus is configurable between a pinching configuration, wherein the carrier line is pinched as it passes through the aperture, and a node receiving configuration, wherein sufficient space is provided for the nodes to pass through the aperture, and wherein, when the deployment apparatus is in the pinching configuration, the tension in the carrier line between the tow vessel and the deployment apparatus is greater than when the deployment apparatus is in the node receiving configuration, and the tension in the carrier line between the deployment apparatus and a bottom surface of the water column is lower than when the deployment apparatus is in the node receiving configuration. <EOS>