Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (mon) 6
Distraction; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors
Aircraft X released off RWY 5 at ORF by Departure. Aircraft Y being vectored to the TACAN RWY 28 final at NGU. (Note: The 28 Final at NGU crosses the 5 Departure corridor at ORF.) As local control; I requested release from departure for Aircraft X. Departure released the aircraft on a heading of 300; which is different from the customary heading of 050. I assumed this was to keep the Aircraft X west of the Aircraft Y's course. As the Aircraft X made the left turn to 300; I instructed the Aircraft X to contact departure. Shortly after; I observed the Aircraft Y turning and joining the TACAN 28 final at NGU. This resulted in what I believe was a loss of standard separation. The departure controller then called upstairs and instructed me to say 'for the tapes' that I 'had visual.' I complied with the instruction and made a statement to that effect; only because the departure controller was a Front Line Manager. I consider this an appropriate application of the 2009 FAA/NATCA CBA-Article 65.1. I recommend that departure either (1) not release the Aircraft X off RWY 5 at ORF until the Aircraft Y is no longer a factor or (2) not turn the Aircraft Y onto the TACAN 28 final at NGU until the Aircraft X is no longer a factor.
ORF Local Controller requested release on a departure aircraft from the Departure Controller. Aircraft was released on an unusual heading; Local Controller thought this heading was to avoid traffic inbound.  Loss of separation occurred when inbound traffic turned inbound.