The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are acting to stop the spill from spreading. Much of the oil has come from a ship that was carrying a cargo of oil. There are three main ways in which the clean-up is done: : 1  If the oil is thick and concentrated, it can be burned off.: 2  Large plastic floats called booms are put in the sea surrounding the spill. : 3  Chemicals that break up the oil are sprayed over the spill.uch of the oil has come from a ship that was carrying a cargo of oil. There are three main ways in which the clean-up is done: : 1  If the oil is thick and concentrated, it can be burned off. 2  However, this causes atmospheric pollution, as carbon dioxide, soot particles and unburnt oil are released into the air.