The last sentence too is incorrect because the crew cannot be functioning as a unit because of the word

prisoners. What is meant is members of the crew are taken prisoners. It is not necessary to use
members of.. all the time when you use such collective nouns. The plural verb is correct and sufficient
to communicate that you are referring to the members and not to the collective unit as one entity.
More important, when the collective noun functions as members the singular verb will create an error.
Or drastically change the meaning of the sentence. For example: The crew is large means that the number
of members is large. But, the crew are large will mean the members of the crew are large (in size), in
other words the members of the crew are plump and corpulent. Study these sentences and try to see the
reasoning for each one to be correct or incorrect.
Correct: My family is going for a vacation this summer.
Incorrect: My family are going for a vacation this summer.
Correct: My family are going to fight throughout the vacation.
Incorrect: My family is going to fight throughout the vacation.
Correct:
Correct:

My family is always fighting (against the others).

My family are always fighting (amongst themselves).

Study these sentences:

The staff is in a meeting.
The staff are in disagreement about the findings.
The luggage has been flown to a wrong destination.
Subject - Verb Agreement
Subjects are nouns/noun phrases/ noun clauses.
The basic rule is simple. It is: A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural
verb. The trick lies in identifying whether the subject is singular or plural.
First, identify the subject of the sentence. The question who? put to the verb unfailingly gives you the
subject of the sentence.
E.g. They has/have bought a new car. (Ask Who? to the verb - Who has/have? Answer is They. They
is the subject of the sentence. Now ascertain whether the subject is singular or plural. Make the verb agree
in number. Singular verbs are: is/was/has/takes. Plural verbs are: are/were/have/take.)
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and.
Correct: A car and a bike are my means of transportation.
But, not always,
Correct: Bread and jam is good for breakfast.
Correct: Rice and beans, my favourite dish, reminds me of my native Kannur.
When two subjects are only related by either...or, neither.... nor, not(only) ... but( also), or the verb will
agree with the subject that is near to it.
Correct: Neither the manager nor his assistant is available.
Correct: Either she or I am getting the Best Students Award.
Note: Am agrees with the subject close to it, I.
Correct: Neither the oceans nor the sea is dumping place for toxic waste.