Embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and apparatus for conserving power while conducting an ocean bottom seismic survey. Sensor nodes placed on an ocean floor may be configured to operate in at least an idle mode and an active mode. When a seismic source boat approached the sensor node, the node may adjust its mode of operation from an idle mode to an active mode. After the seismic source boat is no longer near the sensor node, the idle mode may be entered again to conserve power.